I would like to share with you two short articles that I wrote to counsel believers to be always watchful against their tendency to drift away from the communion and service of the Lord. May the Lord help us to pay heed to the counsel of His Word.
Proverbs 14:14 vividly depicts the stark contrast between the “backslider in heart” and the “good man”, underscoring the profound impact of their chosen paths. Prov 14:14 - “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.” This verse implies that those who veer from the righteous path, even if only in their hearts, will ultimately be engulfed by the repercussions of their decisions.
The term “backslider” comes from the Hebrew word “sûg”, which implies a hostile turning away. In Psalm 53:3, this word describes an unrepentant person who actively rejects God. He turns away from God because his heart is “filled with his own ways”. A backslider is self-conceited and considers his fleshly desires above God’s will. He is resentful when the ways of God are shown to him. He wants to pursue his personal ambitions rather than God’s commandments.
This rejection stands in stark contrast to the “good man”, who finds contentment. Instead of finding satisfaction, the backslider becomes consumed by the foolishness of his sinful choices. Let us note that sin is ultimately the source of human despair.
The prophet Jeremiah reinforces this idea in Jeremiah 2:19: “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that it is an evil thing and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.” Here, Jeremiah delivers a powerful message: our own wrongdoings will ultimately lead to our downfall. Turning away from God brings bitterness and hardship.
This proverb resonates deeply as it unveils a universal truth: our choices bear consequences. When we opt to deviate from the righteous path, we sow seeds of trouble that will inevitably sprout. The backslider, ensnared by his own folly, becomes entangled in a cycle of discontent.
Yet, this need not be the end of the narrative. The proverb also holds out a beacon of hope. The “good man”, the one who remains steadfast to his principles, discovers a profound sense of inner peace and contentment. This contentment doesn’t stem from external factors, but from leading a life in harmony with his God-honouring values.
The message is clear: true happiness comes from living a life of integrity. When we stray from the right path, we risk harming others and inviting dissatisfaction into our own lives. By choosing to live righteously before God, we inherit assurance and inner peace, and thus avoid the pitfalls of backsliding.
Exodus 20 recounts God verbally delivering the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Moses was summoned to the mountain, and God spoke the commandments aloud to Him, which were later inscribed on stone tablets by God Himself (cf. Exodus 31:18; 32:15). The Israelites, witnessing thunder, lightning, and smoke, were terrified and stood afar off, preferring Moses as a mediator. They feared direct communication with God. We read of this episode in Exodus 20:18-20, “And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”
Moses reassured them that God’s presence and commandments were meant to test their faith and obedience, not to instil fear but to prevent sin. Moses said to them, “Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.”
This encounter underscores the clarity of God’s Word, which can be overwhelming, especially when confronting our sins and imperfections. The Israelites’ fear highlights the “perspicuity” of Scripture—the clarity and authority of God’s Word. It’s not that God’s Word lacks clarity, but our sin clouds our perception and acceptance of it.
Hebrews 12:18-24 contrasts the Israelites’ fear at Mount Sinai with how believers under the New Covenant should approach God. The Israelites were so fearful of God’s voice that they asked not to hear it anymore, unable to endure the commands (Hebrews 12:19-20). In contrast, New Covenant believers are called to come to “mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22). Believers should approach God through Jesus, the Mediator of the New Covenant, whose sacrifice has made a new way to God (Hebrews 12:24).
God’s proving of believers is continual, intending to convict, challenge, and transform them, drawing them closer to Him. When preached clearly, God’s Word should not cause retreat or fear, but inspire repentance and a desire to yield to God’s will. God’s Word insists on how to live and come together, emphasising holiness, obedience, and strength. Obedient and righteous people will be strong, pure, beautiful, and resistant to backslide.
In essence, God’s proving is not about destruction, but about refining believers into obedient, faithful servants equipped for a closer walk with Him and for greater work.