DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 7 January 2022 — Are you backsliding in heart?
DCLM Higher Everyday 7 January 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Are you backsliding in heart?
TOPIC: ARE YOU BACKSLIDING IN HEART?
TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 4:9-11
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:
10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.
11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.
12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.
MEMORY VERSE: “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself” (PROVERBS 14:14).
MESSAGE
The word ‘backslide’ spiritually means ‘turn back’ or ‘turn away’ from God, to Satan, to evil or to the world. Backsliding starts in the heart before its physical manifestation. Spiritual decay is a gradual process; and Satan is very subtle such that the decay in the heart of the backslider may be nearly imperceptible. No one is above backsliding!
Backsliding may begin with the general feelings of spiritual indifference. Moreover, prayer life becomes difficult; hunger for the word of God diminishes; attendance at fellowship becomes inconsistent and zeal for soul winning subsides. With time, the fear of God departs and a complete reordering of priorities in the backslider occurs.
Also Read The Great Tribulation
If you are experiencing these signs, it shows you are backsliding or already backslidden. It means you need to return to God through fervent prayers till you find the light of God’s countenance and love on you again. There is a need to constantly watch and pray, walk in the spirit, and be obedient to the word of God always. Do regular self-examination to overcome backsliding. May the Lord keep you from falling. Amen.
QUOTE: Constantly watch and pray.
CHALLENGE: Search me O God, and know my heart.
PRAYER: Lord! Keep me from falling.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
