Deserters are not necessarily enemies of a troop; they are simply men who have been betrayed by physical stamina and sagacity. Their strength failed them when it mattered most. In the same vein, backsliding is a state of returning from a known position. In Christianity, backsliding refers to a situation where a believer turns away partially or completely from a previously committed walk with God. It is a spiritual decline in which a Christian returns to old sinful habits, neglects their relationship with God, or loses obedience and devotion after once living faithfully.

Many Christians assume that once a person has accepted Christ, their faith will always remain strong. In contrast, scriptures show that believers must continually guard their hearts and remain close to God. When devotion weakens and spiritual discipline fades off, the door opens to backsliding. This writing is centred on what the scripture describes as an act of backsliding and who the scripture refers to as a backslider...

According to Rev. 2:4-5, "You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place." Also, Hebrews 3:12–13 says, "Beware… lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God." From the scriptures above, we can safely say that backsliding is the act of falling from the first love obtained at salvation, and a backslider is the one who has fallen and is yet to repent.

The Bible in Romans 3:23 says all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Does this then mean we are all backsliders? That may not be correct, because no man can actually fulfil the law by strength. Just as the Bible says, in 1 Samuel 2:9, by strength shall no man prevail. Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." So, a backslider is an individual who knowingly refuses to obey the teachings of the Bible over a period of time and then completely lets go of biblical teachings.

We must state honestly that a lot of factors are responsible for the act of backsliding; people fall out of faith for reasons too numerous to mention. I won't start listing now for space, and to be honest, the list is endless. But one thing is always at the root of every reason stated for backsliding—a denied or deferred expectation.

The Bible says in Proverbs 13:12 (KJV), "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life," and one factor noticeable among folks these days is that emotional self-management is scarce. Most people find it difficult to curtail their actions when they perceive something wrong. Some, instead of addressing the situation, will turn to attack individuals or groups. And before you know it, they move out of those groups or bodies. Mind you, this is not just within Christendom; it cuts across our social relations and gatherings.

So, the question is, with the faith teachings and principles being taught in churches, why do many still backslide? What does the scripture say about backsliders? And how do we help them back to the faith? In Hosea 11:7, the Bible says, "My people are determined to turn from me. Even though they call me God Most High, I will by no means exalt them."

The diction here dictates pain; this shows that backsliding does not just affect the immediate group; it grieves God, and when the Holy Spirit is grieved, He departs, leaving the person gullible to the devices of Satan and his demons. And you know the ultimate consequence, spiritual death; that is why it is said that "a soul does not backslide in a day; it starts by one neglected prayer, one missed service, and so on."

But one thing is sure: God still loves the backslider and calls for their return. "Backsliding is not the end of the journey; it is a call to return to the God who never moved." God promises healing and restoration. Hosea 14:4 says, "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."

God is calling the backslider back to repentance because He loves them. Jeremiah 3:14 says, "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion." But restoration starts from us. We must first repent in our hearts and confess and forsake our sins, and then God's mercy will show up magnificently. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Now we know a little of what the Scripture says about backsliding, but how do we curb backsliding, and how do we reintegrate backsliders without making them feel woeful?

Every backsliding first began in the heart. In other words, the brother or sister you see today doing unscriptural things didn't just start today; it began days, weeks, months, and even years before the obvious manifestation. Therefore, total castigation will take the backslider deeper down the road than help them come back.

I am not saying you should encourage them to continue, but be wise enough to draw them close and prayerfully admonish them back to the faith with the help of the Holy Spirit. This might not be easy; it might take time, but when engaged in such a mission, with determination and the help of the Holy Spirit, the result will most likely end on a positive note.

A word for the backsliders; if we keep getting angry and leaving the church, who will remain? We get angry at fellow church members, some even get angry at God, and for other reasons fall out of the sweet fellowship with the Father. Now, let me make this clear: some people have very cogent reasons for leaving the church. Reasons that will make you sigh when you hear them, or just look in disbelief, wondering what to say next.

However, we must get to the point where we reason well and ask ourselves: can God really offend us so much that we turn away from Him? And when we do, does it reduce God from being the Almighty? We must recognize that we are the ones who need God. God does not need us just to say; however, I must state categorically that He loves us dearly, and it is His will that none should perish but that all might have eternal life.

Backsliding might never end, the numbers may keep counting, but as faith practitioners, we must begin to see beyond human actions to visualize the impact of spiritual forces on our backsliding brethren. Beyond them is the force of hell. The bible says the devil, like a roaring lion, is going about to see whom he may devour. The devil won't devour those already in his camp; he's looking for gullible Christians, Christians who are getting cold, falling out of faith, excusing stewardship for other pressing engagements, and before you know it, they are all together gone.

Those little absences from church that are becoming more often, that seemingly casual disdain for prophetic instructions, that little calling it bluff to church leadership in the name of standing my ground, are all leading a lot of us to the backsliders Chapel...we must watch it.

The enemies feed on our spiritual weakness to maul destinies; therefore, we must never give place to the devil. The need for a personal relationship with a father can never be overemphasized. God is calling us to repentance; God is calling us to be more willing than correct. His calling us to surrender more than we analyse.

Until we are well aligned and can declare, as apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:10 (KJV) "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." A point that has no return, going through with the father till the very end, a point where no offense can draw us back, where no mis giving can take us away, where no one, nothing, valuable or not can make us withdraw, a point where our reputation don't matter, where our status no longer count, that point that helps us see only the very end; the cross; and the die hard resolve that the sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary will never go in vain.

At that point, even the devil will see us and take a backslide. We must stand for the continuous growth of the church, encourage the falling soldiers back to battle, and as the Lord's army continue till the day of Jesus. No going back, no turning back because we have decided to follow Jesus. To follow him till the very end.