The Biblical Reality of Backsliding

Understanding Spiritual Drift and God's Call to Return

The word "backsliding" can sound heavy, even intimidating. It conjures images of failure and spiritual defeat. But in the Bible, it’s actually a recurring, honest, and ultimately hopeful theme that describes a very common human experience: the tendency to drift away from a heartfelt commitment to God.

If you’ve ever felt your spiritual life cooling, your prayer life shrinking, or your attention focusing more on worldly concerns than on faith, you’ve experienced the pull of backsliding.

Here’s a look at what the Bible says about this condition, where it starts, and the powerful invitation to restoration.

What is Backsliding, According to Scripture?

While the word “backsliding” (often translated from the Hebrew root shuv, meaning "to turn back") is mostly found in the Old Testament, the concept describes a spiritual regression—a slow, internal movement away from God and back toward pre-conversion habits or self-centered living.

The prophets used this term repeatedly to describe the nation of Israel, who, despite witnessing God's miracles, constantly turned to idols and disobedience.

1. It is a Condition of the Heart

The Bible is clear that backsliding isn't just about outward actions; it begins deep inside.

The book of Proverbs states: "The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above" (Proverbs 14:14).

This shows the core issue: the backslider replaces satisfaction in God with satisfaction in their own ways. It's when the heart reclaims its own desires as the primary focus, leading to a neglect of spiritual disciplines.

2. It is a Constant Spiritual Threat

In the New Testament, while the term "backsliding" is less common, the warnings are perhaps even more severe, using words like "falling away" or "drifting."

The author of Hebrews gives a stern caution: "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God" (Hebrews 3:12).

This reminds us that maintaining faith requires vigilance. Drifting doesn't take effort; staying on course does.

Three Classic Examples of Spiritual Drift

The stories of the Bible show us exactly what backsliding looks like in real life:

A. The Loss of First Love (The Church in Ephesus)

In the book of Revelation, Jesus rebukes the dedicated church in Ephesus: “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Revelation 2:4).

Their actions were perfect—they worked hard, endured patiently, and upheld sound doctrine—but their motive had cooled. Backsliding is not just about committing gross sin; it can be the simple, quiet loss of passion and intimacy with God.

B. The Divided Mind (Luke 9:62)

Jesus warned those seeking to follow him: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

This is the state of having a divided mind. The person has committed to the journey ("hand to the plow"), but they keep looking back at the life they left behind. Their affection is split, making them ineffective for the task ahead.

C. The Reckless Departure (The Prodigal Son)

The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15) is the quintessential picture of backsliding. The son's desire for his own independence led him to take his inheritance and "squander his property in reckless living."

He left his place of safety and blessing for a life driven by self-will, only to realize the misery of his own ways when he found himself feeding pigs during a famine.

The Good News: God's Call is to Return

The most encouraging truth about backsliding is that God never views it as a final state. For every warning, there is an accompanying invitation.

To the backsliding nation of Israel, God pled through Jeremiah: "Return, O backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings" (Jeremiah 3:22).

The story of the Prodigal Son is a perfect illustration of this divine response: the moment the son "came to his senses" and decided to return, the father saw him from a distance and ran to welcome him, offering unconditional restoration and celebration.

A Simple Path to Restoration:

If you feel like you’ve started to drift, the biblical message is simple:

1. Remember: Revisit the joy and commitment you had when your relationship with God was fresh.

2. Repent: Turn around. Repentance means changing your mind and redirecting your heart back toward God.

3. Return: Start doing the practices that characterized your "first love"—reading the Word, praying, and seeking fellowship.

Backsliding is a common struggle, but the cure is always available: repentance, humility, and the assurance that God’s love waits with open arms.