How should Christians respond to someone who leaves the faith?

from the old testament

• The Old Testament contains repeated examples of those who claim to follow God but who later prove to be unbelieving or disloyal. Israel as a nation made a covenant with the LORD at Sinai (Exodus 24:3) yet later turned to idols and broke that covenant repeatedly (Jeremiah 3:6–10). External association with God’s people does not prove an obedient heart.
• The prophets often called the people of Israel to return to the LORD. Hosea 6:4 laments that their loyalty was like a morning cloud—brief and shallow. Yet God continued to send warnings and calls for repentance, showing His patience and readiness to restore those who returned to Him (Isaiah 55:7; Joel 2:12–13).
• In Proverbs, Solomon says that a righteous man may fall many times but still get up (Proverbs 24:16). Those who are truly changed on the inside may stumble, but it will never be permanent—they will get back up again. Persistent rebellion differs from temporary stumbling. Even King David wandered deeply into sin, including adultery and murder, and yet “got back up” through heart-felt conviction and repentance (2 Samuel 12:1–13; Psalm 51).

from the new testament

• Jesus taught that not all who profess faith are truly saved. In Matthew 7:21–23, He warned that some who claim to follow Him in this life will be rejected in the next. Speaking of that day, Jesus said He will say, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23b). These frightening words show that we can even deceive ourselves, appearing spiritual outwardly yet inwardly lost.
• The parable of the Sower in Luke 8:4-8 explains that some receive the word with joy but later fall away when testing comes. This falling away shows that belief never really took root, that they were never genuinely converted to start with.
• First John 2:19 reinforces this. Speaking about those who had left the believing community, John said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us.” True believers may struggle, but they do not abandon Christ permanently.
• Scripture also has a category for struggling believers. James 5:19–20 says, “if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” Though wandering may be a sign that someone is not saved, it also might mean they simply badly need correction before they go too far and are lost. Believers are called to restore sinning believers “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1). Believers are to actively pursue another who is wandering away.
• A good example of this is Jesus’ restoration of Peter after he denied Him three times.After Jesus’ resurrection, He pulled Peter aside and gently restored him (John 21:15–17). Peter’s failure was real and serious, but, because of God’s mercy (Luke 22:31–32), not final. Believers dealing with those who are drifting or rejecting the faith should not assume the outcome but remain prayerful, loving, and persistent in pointing them back to Christ.
• God has not promised that our efforts to bring them back will be successful. Salvation is ultimately the work of God. Those who are truly His, will not be lost forever (John 6:39; 10:28).
• Some who wander or leave may tempt others to leave the faith, as well. Jude comments on this: “And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh” (Jude 22–23). While we want to help, we need to keep an eye on our soul in the process so that we aren’t tempted away from Christ, too.

implications for today

When someone close to you leaves the faith, it’s like a punch to the chest. While grieving is valid, the Bible equips us to think clearly through the situation. Jesus warned that not everyone who appears faithful is truly saved so, while we might be shocked when someone leaves the faith, Christ is not. That knowledge can ground you even when it feels like your whole world has just turned upside down.

Unfortunately, some enjoy the drama of watching other believers fall or walk away from the faith. They are quick to quote 1 John 2:19 and walk away. However, we are to have the heart of Jesus: saddened when anyone takes a step towards his or her ultimate destruction. Rather than assuming the worst, treat the individual with love and respect, continuing to gently point him or her back to Christ. But be cautious that you aren’t negatively influenced. Be willing to call them back but also keep a wary eye on your own soul (Jude 22–23).

Through this chaos, rest in God’s sovereignty. He will bring back those who are truly His. If they do not His, exposing their heart, while painful, is necessary and helps maintain the purity of Jesus’ church. Your job is not to fix them or save them, but to be a faithful witness and an instrument of grace in their life.

Let your hope remain anchored in God’s faithfulness. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost and secures His sheep. You can’t control the outcome, but you can trust the One who does—and plead with Him to do what only He can: bring the wandering home.