Spiritual Indifference - Christian Backsliding

So you are a Christian, went to Sunday School, Church, youth group etc. You were on fire for the Lord. All of the sudden you feel indifference to God. What has happened? I get asked this question the most out of all the questions at TDDM. "Why can't I feel God?" "I pray but I don't think He is listening."

First of all if you are a true believer in Christ, you are going to be at war. The lusts of the flesh, the influence of the world and the devil are going to war against your Christian life. The only time you will have perfect peace and unity with God is when you are totally committed and give your life to Christ in every area of your life. Too many people want to have one foot in the kingdom of God and another foot in the world. You will not be happy that way.

Backsliding means to lapse. Lapse in the Christian is to loose one's fellowship with God, to grow cold and indifferent.

There are several degrees of backsliding:

1. A conscious rejection of God
2. Being drawn away from God by sin, giving in to sinful ways, such as drunkenness, immorality, adultery, etc.
3. Lacking responsibility before God and the church, which results in disobedience to what you know God wants you to do, such as lying, cheating, gossip, envy, selfishness, jealousy, etc.

Things that lead to backsliding:

• Being disappointed in what we imagined to be the model Christian, a youth pastor, counselor, parent, someone we trusted.
• Slacking off or ignoring what is important to God, worshiping, prayer, witnessing etc.
• Ignoring your spiritual responsibilities
• Disobedience to God's revealed will in your life
• Willful sin. Sinning and finding excuses for it. Not repenting and confessing sin to God.

This is a very dangerous position to be in, if you find yourself distant from God, take a look at yourself, it is not God who leaves you, it is you who stray from Him. God loves you and wants you close to Him at all times. Renew your love for Jesus, confess your wrong doings and repent. By confession you will be renewed. There is no sin that God will not forgive in Christ. Start reading and studying the Bible and pray daily. Get back to church for fellowship, instruction and service, this is in obedience to God.

Getting back your relationship with God will let you see what his will is in your life. Things will be clearer and you will feel Him again. The relationship is what feeling God is all about. Draw nearer to Him in every way so that you will have continued spiritual growth. Remember He is only a prayer away!!!!

By Janet Adams of TDDM