Signs of Heart Backsliding

"The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" (Prov. 14:14).

To "backslide" means to slide back from some attained ground.

There are two classes of "backsliders." One is he who has fallen from grace altogether, and gone back into open sin. The other is one who still keeps up the outside forms of religion, but has lost the Spirit of Jesus.

The backslider in heart still lives an upright life before the world; he is still prompt at meetings, takes part in all of the services just as he did when he enjoyed grace. He still testifies, sings, exhorts, gives, preaches (if he is a preacher), and sometimes shouts, and feels good in a red-hot meeting. He dresses just as plain as ever, keeps up family prayer, etc.

We now give a few of the unmistakable signs of a backslider in heart:

First-A lack of love for secret prayer. O, how the soul used to delight to spend hours alone with God! An hour spent alone with God seemed only like ten minutes. It kept up such unbroken intercourse with heaven until it seemed at times as if you would be caught up with God into the "third heaven." When you walked by the way or sat at home, or while about your daily toil, you could just breathe clear through into the glory world. Heaven seemed as real to you as the material world.

You were never at a loss for a testimony, but you were full up to the muzzle all the time. It meant "testify" sometimes, or it seemed that you would burst.

You had such a love for souls and the work of God until you could not be still.

You were so careful over all of your manners; and it was as easy to believe God as it was to breathe.

But, some way or another, through your letting down a little here and a little there, you have lost that sweetness, and now your soul is dry and barren. Nevertheless, you still testify, pray, preach, dress plain, and all these things, but the love for prayer is gone. It has become a task to spend much time in secret prayer.

You have to feel around for something to say when testifying. It does not bubble up any more like it used to.

You do not strike fire in your prayers, testimonies and sermons, as in bygone days. My friend, you have slidden back.

Second-You used to love the Bible. It seemed like a new book every day. Its pages seemed full of honey and sunshine. You could enjoy reading its humchps for hours; but now it has become dead and dry to you. It is irksome to read one chapter at the "family altar service."

Third-You used to love to hand out tracts and do missionary work from house to house, and hold prayer-meetings here and there; but now that is a thing of the past.

Fourth-You used to be so prompt to attend the prayer-meetings and class-meetings, etc. You could hardly wait for church time, but now you are late nearly every meeting. And where you used to be almost the first one to pray and testify, now it is all gone, and if you testify at all, it is away near the end of the meeting. Besides, your testimony is dry and dead.

Fifth-You used to be filled with such a sweet spirit. It was hard for you to see any one's faults, but now you find so many faults with the preacher, the Christian people, the singing, etc.

Sixth-You used to take things so lamblike at home, and nothing could stir you, but now you are so easily tried. You are so touchy and impetuous; you are so hard to please by your companion, or the children.

Seventh-Your words used to be so tender. Your tongue was always seasoned with the law of kindness, but now your words are sharp, cutting and sour.

Eighth-You used to be so conscientious and careful in all your engagements, your conversations, in keeping your vows, etc. But now a spirit of slackness has settled over you, and you are somewhat reckless and careless about things.

Ninth-At one time you had such a bright hope of heaven. You felt as sure of going to heaven as if you were already there, but somehow of late your hope has grown dim on your hands, and when you look the matter of the coming of Jesus, and death, and the judgment, square in the face, you do not feel quite ready for it. You would not like it to come now; you want to get into a clear place, as you once were, before it comes.

Friend, are not these unmistakable signs of a backslidden heart

There is a way back, by confessing and recalling old light and convictions, and praying through again.

Do not be discouraged, but go in for it.