“Embracing Change To Experience Life!”
Genesis 13:1-13; Hosea 4:16
Hosea 4:16….
“For Israel slideth back as
a backsliding heifer…..”
“…. But Israel is stubborn
like a young cow that runs
away again and again…..”
“Backsliding starts in
such a subtle way that
most of us are not aware
of it, and many of us may
be backslidden and may
not realize it.”
Backsliding is
turning away from
God in one’s heart
and loving forbidden
things
(1 Kings 11:9).
Backsliding
is leaving one’s
first love for
Christ
(Revelation 2:4).
Backsliding is
failing to walk
in the light in
fellowship with God
(1 John 1:5-9).
A backslidden Christian
is one whose communion
with Christ is waning and whose
faith is weakening.
•
•
•
•
Loss of heavenly values
Loss of conviction of sin
Lazy in service
Putting people’s word ahead
of God’s Word
• Loss of testimony
Genesis 13:1-13
Observe the
subtle steps
in Lot’s
backsliding…
Genesis 13:5….
“Now Lot, who was moving
about with Abram also
had flocks and herds
and tents.”
Lot had possessions,
but there is
no mention of an ALTAR.
i)
ii)
iii)
Genesis 13:10….
“Lot looked around and saw
that the whole plain of the
Jordan toward Zoar was well
watered, like the garden
of the Lord, like the
land of Egypt.”
Spiritual desires only
come when there is communion
with God.
i)
Lot had a desire for
PROFIT
ii)
Lot had a desire
PLEASURE
iii) Lot had a desire for
POSITION
for
Genesis 13:11….
“So Lot chose for himself
the whole plain of the
Jordan and set out toward
the east. The two men
parted company.”
i) Standards are gone
(Genesis 13:11)
ii) Seed is gone
iii) Spouse is gone
iv) Sway Is gone
Integrity and influence are gone
(Genesis 19:14)
 Examine your faith-life
regularly.
 If you find yourself
drifting away, turn back
immediately.
 Come to God daily for
forgiveness and
cleansing.
 Continue daily seeking
the Lord with your whole
heart.
 Stay in the Word of
God; keep studying
and learning daily.
 Stay in fellowship often
with other believers.
 Stand firm in your faith.
Expect difficult times in
your Christian life.
All men will hate you because of me, but he who
stands firm to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:22)
 Persevere.
 Run the race to win.
 Remind yourself of
what
God has done for you in the
past.
Any time a man tries to
get along without God,
he will become a loser!