What Happens When You Backslide from God and Jesus Christ?

Prevention of Backsliding

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In the King James Version (KJV), the word backslider refers to someone who falls away from their faith, practices, or vows to God. It often describes an apostate—someone who turns away from their spiritual commitment and falls into sin or unfaithfulness. The term appears in books like Jeremiah and Hosea to describe Israel’s turning away from God, and it is also mentioned in Proverbs.

Backsliding is a no-win situation. For example, in Revelation 2:5, the Lord says:“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

Likewise, 2 Peter 2:21 warns:“For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.”

This means that once you know the truth and choose to turn away, you forfeit your right to eternal life with God and Jesus Christ. Yet, God’s love remains constant. In James 4:8 we are told:“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

The Bible describes the double-minded as people with divided loyalty—wavering between faith in God and worldly desires. James 1:8 explains that this instability leads to inconsistency, fear, and hypocrisy. The solution is wholehearted dedication to God: planting biblical truth in your heart, rejecting falsehood, and continually drawing near to Him in faith.

From a psychological perspective, “double-mindedness” refers to holding conflicting beliefs at the same time, which leads to indecision, confusion, and instability. Overthinking, fear of consequences, and outside influences can deepen this struggle. Spiritually, however, God calls us to replace doubt with faith and steadfastness.

When you backslide, you give up the right to live spiritually, physically, and psychologically healthy. It is like a relapse—a return to old sins after a period of deliverance. In the same way a person may relapse into alcohol, drugs, or gambling, a believer can relapse into sinful habits. Just as a patient has the right to refuse medical treatment (even if it leads to decline), backsliding represents choosing spiritual sickness over God’s healing power.

For ex-convicts or those with ingrained habits of sin, backsliding can mean returning to destructive patterns despite knowing God’s truth. In Christian teaching, this “falling back” is a setback to spiritual transformation, where God calls us instead to stand firm in freedom through Christ.

Preventing Backsliding

Backsliding is prevented through daily faithfulness and loyalty to Jesus Christ. No one is perfect, and God does not demand perfection, but He does call us to strive toward Christlike maturity. When you sin, you must repent and ask for forgiveness in Jesus’ name. Do not persist in wrongdoing or dwell on past mistakes. When God forgives, He forgets—and you must learn to forgive yourself and others as well.

It can be helpful to create a Christianity Plan—a personal faith strategy that strengthens your spiritual, physical, and psychological growth. This plan might include identifying past mistakes, writing down ways to prevent repeating them, setting spiritual goals, and committing to prayer, scripture study, and fellowship.

Remember Romans 12:2:“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The way you think influences your behavior. In social psychology, “attribution” refers to how we explain the causes of actions and events. Too often, we do this with hidden biases that distort reality. Spiritually, daily communication with God is the safeguard against false thinking and the pull of sin.

In summary, backsliding is a serious danger, but it is not without hope. God calls His people to repentance, steadfastness, and renewal of mind. When you remain close to Christ, you can overcome instability and walk in the freedom and transformation He offers.

Podcast: What Happens When You Backslide from God and Jesus Christ?

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