Lord’s Library editors answer the question “What does the Bible say about backsliding?” with specific Bible references.
Have you ever asked yourself the question “What does the Bible say about backsliding?” If you have, you’re definitely not alone! And since the Bible helps Christians form a foundational understanding of important topics, it’s imperative that one know how Scripture describes backsliding in different contexts. The Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines backsliding as “The act of apostatizing from faith or practice; a falling insensibly from religion into sin or idolatry.”
Now armed with a basic definition of backsliding, Lord’s Library editors thought it would be a helpful exercise to provide Biblical context. As a result, we compiled this short resource which captures all notable mentions of the word backsliding, as well as its other forms. If you’ve been wondering what the King James Bible says about backsliding, scroll on for additional detail.
Note: If you want to know what the Bible says about gluttony and 206 other important topics (to be exact), our editors recommend Spencer Smith’s Doctrine Matters: Bible Topic Guidebook.
What Does the Bible Say About Backsliding?
Hosea 11:7
“And my people are bent to backsliding from me: though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.”
Jeremiah 3:22
“Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.”
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Hebrews 6:4-6
“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”
Proverbs 24:16
“For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.”
2 Corinthians 13:5
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”
2 Peter 2:20-22
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 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. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.”
Proverbs 14:14
“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.”
Luke 9:62
“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Hebrews 2:1-3
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;”
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