How to Deal With Backsliders
"The LORD is my Shepherd... He restoreth my soul" (Psalm 23:1-2).
by Tom Stewart
Actions: What to Do
• 1.Restore. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are Spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:1-2).
• 2.Withdraw and admonish. "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us... And if any man obey not our word by this Epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother" (2Thessalonians 3:6,14-15).
• 3.Deliver to Satan. "And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you... To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus... But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1Corinthians 5:2,5,11-13).
• 4.Treat as a heathen. "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the Church: but if he neglect to hear the Church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican" (Matthew 18:7).
• 5.Mark and avoid. "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them" (Romans 16:7).
• 6. Admonish but twice. "A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject" (Titus 3:10).
Warnings: What to Watch For
• 1.Godly sorrow. "For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" (2Corinthians 7:10).
• 2. Actions consistent with repentance. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8).
o a. Carefulness not to offend Christ. "For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o b. Completeness of self-condemnation for offending Christ. "Yea, what clearing of yourselves" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o c. Anger against self for offending Christ. "Yea, what indignation" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o d. Strong respect for the person of Christ. "Yea, what fear" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o e. Strong desire to please Christ. "Yea, what vehement desire" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o f. Intense desire to promote Christ. "Yea, what zeal" (2Corinthians 7:11).
o g. Willingness to see Christ avenged for all offenses. "Yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter" (2Corinthians 7:11).
Promises: What to Expect
• 1.We shall reap [restore, in this case]. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" (Galatians 6:9).
• 2.They shall be saved. "To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the LORD Jesus" (1Corinthians 5:5).
• 3.They shall be corrected and reproved. "Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee" (Jeremiah 2:19).
• 4.They shall be given a right heart. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).