Proverbs 14:14, Backsliding – It’s Prevention!
August 15, Proverbs 14:14
Heb. 6:1-11 “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3)
Backsliding – It’s Prevention!
The old saying is true, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” If we would prevent backsliding, we must exercise daily, even hourly, vigilance. Peter had boldly asserted his undying devotion to the Lord, yet, a few hours later, he is sleeping instead of guarding. When the Lord comes He speaks directly to Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation (Matt. 26:40-41). After the arrest of Jesus, we read, Peter followed him afar off, and, a little later, Peter is sitting among the enemy and warming himself at their fire. Was not all this the prelude to his sad denial? Then the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter went out and wept bitterly (Lk. 22:54-62). Thank God for those tears, for they were tears of true repentance and restoration for Peter. The point of spiritual departure for Peter, and for many Christians too, is found in the words afar off, and, as a result, he was taken off-guard, and then taken-in by a slip of a girl. He failed to watch and pray.
1. Kept by the Father’s Word: God’s Word demands nothing less than our whole heart yielded to Him (Pr. 23:26). The Psalmist’s response was Thy Word have I hid in my heart (Ps. 119:11). Let Calvin’s motto be yours, “My heart I gave to Thee, promptly and sincerely.” Calvin said, “Unless God’s Word illumine the way, the whole life of men is wrapped in darkness and mist, so that they cannot but miserably stray.” Backsliding always involves neglect of God’s Word. Quality Time spent in God’s Word each day puts a guard around your heart.
2. Kept by the Saviour’s Life: Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was, That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith (3:17). We know, both from God’s Word and our own experience, that our hearts are deceitful above all things (Jer. 17:9). Using the figure of the Vine, Jesus said, Now ye are clean through the Word. Then added, Abide in me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit except ye abide in me (Jn. 15:3-4). The branches are fruitful when they are in the vine, so believers will only be fruitful as they are in Christ. Without His vital life flowing through you, you cannot bear fruit. Christ must dwell in your heart by faith, for only by His constant indwelling Life will you be kept from falling.
3. Kept by the Spirit’s Strength: Paul further prays for the Saints in Ephesus, To be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man (3:16). All three persons of the Trinity must be involved in guarding the believer’s heart. What an amazing thought! The Almighty Trinity has a role, not only in your salvation, but in your preservation too! Thus you must be daily filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). The Spirit will convict you of sin and keep your heart a fit dwelling place for the Saviour. John Owen aptly remarked, “The Holy Spirit is the great beautifier of souls.” Thus, and only thus, will you be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
Thought: “He who gives over never truly began” (Wm. Jenkyn).
Prayer: Lord, keep me watching and praying that I enter not into temptation.