11 Major Causes Of Backsliding In Christians [+ Sermon]

There are many causes of backsliding identified in the Bible both in the Old Testament and the New Testament that can make anyone fall from grace or abandon their Christian faith.

I will share my research and findings on this topic with you in this article as to why many Christians backslide and fall from grace even when they seemed indestructible.

Without wasting much of your precious time, let’s look at the 11 common causes of backsliding among many Christians today to give you a better understanding of this issue.

11 Reasons Why Most Christians Backslide.

Take your time to read the 11 major reasons why most Christians backslide so that you don’t become a statistic as well among many fallen heroes of faith.

  • Carelessness.
  • Spiritual Pride.
  • The Love Of The World.
  • Lack Of Genuine Repentance.
  • Unforgiveness.
  • Thinking You Can Do It Without Christ.
  • Heeding To False Teachings.
  • Lack Of Prayer.
  • Yielding To Temptations.
  • Not Attending Regular Church Services.
  • Ignorance.

1. Carelessness.

Carelessness and spiritual negligence are among the major causes of backsliding among many backslidden Christian today who have fallen from grace and have abandoned the Christian faith they once cherished wholeheartedly.

The apostle Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:12 that if you think you are standing, you must take heed lest you fall. Implying that you must not think that you can’t backslide and allow carelessness in your spiritual life.

Sadly, most people ignore this warning and think they are invincible only to discover that they have fallen from grace and this is how people who were once strong in their Christian faith have backslidden and fallen away from grace into perdition.

2. Spiritual Pride.

Another major cause of backsliding among many believers and so-called spirituals is spiritual pride and I am sure just like me you have noticed this pride in many people who claim to be spirituals who think they are always in the right and can’t make mistakes.

The apostle Peter in the New Testament was a victim of this which is why he denied the Lord Jesus Christ thrice as we see in John 18:15-27 despite being warned many times that it will happen when he was in denial that he can’t deny Christ no matter what.

Many so-called spirituals exhibit this spiritual pride Peter showed thinking that they can’t fall but this always leads to disastrous consequences as only with God’s grace and not our own strength can we stand and not backslide.

3. The Love Of The World.

The love of this world and the things that are in this world 1 John 2:15-17 warns us not to is also one of the major causes of backsliding among many Christians.

Many Christians who were once strong, passionate, and vibrant in the things of the Lord have backslidden and gone back to the world they once forsook due to the love of the world and the things of this world.

I am sure you’ve witnessed such people in your life just as I have who were once strong ambassadors for Jesus Christ but are no longer and have become the modern-day Demas who also forsook the Lord having loved this present world (2 Timothy 4:10).

Related: 11 Signs Of Worldliness [That Show If One Is Worldly]

4. Lack Of Genuine Repentance.

Another major thing that causes backsliding is the lack of repentance. Repentance is the very first step in overcoming backsliding if you have sinned as David did in Psalms 51:1-5.

It is saying “I’m sorry” to God and changing one’s mind about sin and making a decision to turn away from it. But if there is no genuine repentance, which includes godly sorrow and a change of attitude, then a person can backslide.

And due to the lack of a truly repentant heart, unwillingness to be corrected due to pride, and admitting one’s sins or wrongdoings is the reason why most people backslide and fall from grace straight into the sin they once renounced on the altar call.

Related: Seven Fruits Of True Repentance (That Signify Real Salvation.)

5. Unforgiveness.

Believe it or not, the lack of forgiveness of those who do you wrong is also a major cause of why many believers backslide and some have even stopped going to church because of the beef they have with a certain church member.

If we hold on to unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment, we invite the devil into our lives to torment us with guilt, bitterness, and condemnation (Hebrews 12:15). This can cause a person to backslide and fall from grace.

This is why as a believer; you must practice forgiveness to others, as no one is perfect even your fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord will at times offend you either knowingly or unknowingly as they are imperfect humans, too, and not angels.

6. Thinking You Can Do It Without Christ.

Trying to live the Christian life in your own strength rather than in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit Who lives inside of you as a born-again Christian if you are indeed truly saved (Romans 8:9) is another reason why many backslide.

The Lord Jesus Christ made it clear in John 15:5-7 that only when we abide in Him, can we bring forth many good fruits and that without Him, we can do nothing.

Amazingly, many people think that they can live a victorious Christian life in their own strength and ability but these people set themselves up for destruction and failure just as Peter did when he denied Christ thrice when he thought he couldn’t in Matthews 26:33-35.

7. Heeding To False Teachings.

Heeding to false teachings and false doctrines from false teachers in the church that don’t preach the truth and sound doctrine of God’s word can wreck your Christian faith.

This is why Jesus Christ warns us of false prophets in Matthews 7:15 who usually come in sheep’s clothing but are ravenous wolves inside that you must avoid at all costs to protect your soul from the swift destruction false teachings bring.

Many believers who were once strong and standing in Christ Jesus have backslid and strayed from the truth this way due to heeding false teachings from false teachers which are now commonplace today.

Related: 10 Common False Teachings In Churches Today [ To Avoid At All Costs].

8. Lack Of Prayer.

Lack of a strong prayer life is another major cause as to why many Christians backslide and go back into habitual sin, as most of them are spiritually lazy and can’t even pray for an hour.

One thing you need to know is that you can’t live a victorious Christian life without prayer as prayer is a vital spiritual weapon in the life of every believer as we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood as Ephesians 6:12-18 tells us.

So, if you are a backsliding Christian who wants to stop falling into habitual sin, revive your prayer life and you will be on your way to victory and stop wasting time on social media reading useless things as the time you waste there can be dedicated to praying for yourself.

9. Yielding To Temptations.

Giving into temptations by committing sins like sexual immorality, drunkenness, not abstaining from all appearances of evil, and going back into habitual sinning patterns is another cause of backsliding among many believers.

James 4:7 tells us that we must resist the devil so that he can flee from us and that means resisting his temptations as they come just as Jesus Christ did in Luke 4:1-13 showing us a perfect example of how we must overcome every temptation Satan brings our way.

Sadly, most so-called Christians yield to various temptations of the flesh and don’t make an effort to abstain from all appearances of evil as 1 Thessalonians 5:22 commands us to but which explains why they struggle with sin and backslide all the time.

10. Not Attending Regular Church Services.

Another major reason why many Christians backslide and fall into sin is the lack of attending regular church services where they can be strengthened and grounded in the Lord.

While going to church doesn’t automatically qualify you for heaven, it’s still important to go to church and fellowship with your fellow believers with the same faith who can edify and encourage you in your Christin walk with the Lord especially when things get hard.

This is why Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we must not forsake the assembling of one another as the manner of some is because it’s very beneficial for the body of Christ.

11. Ignorance.

Finally, yet importantly, ignorance of what is expected of many people when they become Christians is another reason why many backslide and go back to their old sinful lifestyle.

Many people backslide because they don’t know any better. They drift away because they lose sight of their purpose and their responsibilities as a Christian.

If you do not keep up with your Christian walk, as well as continually renewing your mind in the things of God as Romans 12:2 commands us, you can easily find yourself drifting away from what is right and good or the Christian faith you once held dear in your heart.

Conclusion.

The above 11 causes of backsliding are just among the many reasons why most people who were once true believers backslide and fall from grace into sin.

If you have backslid, it’s not too late to be restored. All you need to come to the Lord with a repentant heart and he will fully restore you.

In closing, if you found this post useful, let me know in the comments below along with any questions you may have on what you have read. Stay blessed and don’t forget to share.

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14 thoughts on “11 Major Causes Of Backsliding In Christians [+ Sermon]”

  1. Jesus defeated Satan at the Cross. Your talk to “overcome every temptation Satan brings our way”, etc., is misleading.
    Satan is now powerless but to roar around like a lion, looking for the weakest of the herd to attack. He is the Deceiver–he can only try to talk believers into sin and defeat.
    God created all things, including the serpent in Genesis 3–He tempts humans using Satan, and Satan’s false teachers, in order to “grow Christians up” in truth and maturity. Satan has no “power”–only influence. We can tell him “get behind me.”
    That might be a better summary of how to deal with “Ignorance.”

    Reply
    • Thanks for your reply of course Satan was defeated on the cross but we are still told to overcome temptations as Jesus Christ did as Satan hasn’t yet given up on you though defeated. As long as we live in a fallen world temptations will still be part of our lives till we die and go to heaven. God bless.

      Reply
  2. the most challenging in our Christian walk is a situation whereby whenever you go to church instead of your Spiritual leaders edifying and encouraging but always ends up demotivate and discourage you through their over spiritual. how will you handle such issues when they come from your own pastor.

    Reply
    • Glad you asked this good question. What you asked isn’t uncommon in church. Moreover, all you can do is just pray and put everything in God’s hands as only He can never disappoint you. Let your encouragement ultimately come from God and reading His word as humans even so-called pastors can let you down considering there are so many fake pastors in churches today who pretend to be of God but in reality, there are not. Hope this helps and may God be with you and strengthen you on your Christian journey.

      Reply
  3. All the 11 causes of backsliding are real and very practical. Especially the first one. Most believers backsliding due to carelessness and negligence on what we are supposed to do and be.

    Reply
    • Off course you do, dear as it’s not too late as long as you are still breathing and alive. Just truly repent and give yourself fully to God and you will be restored. God bless.

      Reply

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