What is backsliding? What does it mean to backslide?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Backsliding is a willful, heart-level turning away from God after once walking closely with Him, often unfolding as a slow drift rather than a sudden fall (Jeremiah 3:6–14, 20; Hosea 2:2). Though not mentioned by name, the Old Testament portrays backsliding as covenant unfaithfulness—forsaking the Lord, resisting correction, and choosing our own way despite knowing the truth (Jeremiah 2:19; Isaiah 1:4; Zechariah 7:11). In the New Testament it is described as “falling away,” whether in temporary seasons of doubt and sin for true believers or in the complete walking away from the faith for those who never had genuine faith (Matthew 26:31; Hebrews 6:4–6; Luke 8:13).

For believers, this drift can begin subtly through distraction, hardship, or unaddressed doubts, pulling us away from intimacy with God if left unchecked (Jeremiah 5:23). Still, backsliding for Christians does not undo the secure salvation of those who truly belong to Christ (John 10:28–29; Romans 10:9–10). And truly, a person who backslides does not need to end in wandering—God continually invites us to return, meet Him honestly in our struggles, and be renewed as we walk closely with Him again (Hosea 14:1–4; 1 John 1:9).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In the Old Testament, “backsliding” describes a willful turning away from God after having known Him—especially in the context of covenant relationship. It is often portrayed as spiritual unfaithfulness, showing that backsliding is not just behavior but a heart-level departure (Jeremiah 3:6–14, 20; Hosea 2:2, 1:7).
• Backsliding is described as forsaking the Lord and going one’s own way (Jeremiah 2:19; Isaiah 1:4).
• Backsliding involves a refusal to listen or return, even when corrected (Jeremiah 5:23; Zechariah 7:11).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The Bible doesn't use the term backslide, but it does use the phrase "fall away." To fall away means to go through a period where we question or faith or return to unchristian ways after acting like a believer. Jesus used the phrase "fall away" when He told His disciples they would temporarily question their relationship with Him after He was crucified (Matthew 26:31). When Jesus was found to be alive three days after His death, the disciples' faith was restored and renewed.
• Paul and James write about Christians who revert to familiar sins or wander from their faith. They say that those Christians should be restored to the faith (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19–20).
• The other kind of falling away in the New Testament describes a poser—a person who takes Christianity for a test-drive of sorts (Hebrews 6:4–6; Luke 8:13). This is a person who appears outwardly to be a Christian, but in fact never had a saving faith in Christ.
• Jesus said He would act as a good shepherd and seek out the "lost sheep" (John 10; Matthew 18:12; Luke 15:3–7). He does not desire us to backslide, and He will bring His children back to Himself.
• God grants salvation to those who come to Him, and He is faithful to cleanse those who are His children from all their sin (1 John 1:9). If a genuine believer in Christ backslides, it will only be for a time. It is not up to us, however, to judge another's salvation or determine how or why someone seems to be backsliding. Only God can see the heart.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

An old preacher used to say that if you are not moving toward Jesus, you are moving away from Him—there is no middle ground, no drifting. "Backsliding," in Christianity, is moving away from Jesus after being near Him.

The term "backsliding" is usually used to describe believers who once started strong in their faith but then gradually drifted—losing their passion, neglecting obedience, and allowing sin or distraction to take root in their lives. It is not typically a sudden rebellion, but a slow, subtle turning of the heart away from God.

When we encounter difficulties in life, harsh circumstances, or unfair treatment, we may question God's activity or even goodness. We may be tempted to "backslide." Instead, we should take those questions and doubts to God Himself. Look to the Bible in those times for answers about God's immutability and faithfulness. Pray. Seek Him even in the hard. We worship when we wrestle with God instead of going the other way.

Backsliding doesn't mean a person loses their salvation. The Bible makes it clear that once we are saved, that is, we've put our faith in Jesus as the Son of God who came to die on the cross in our place and rise from the dead, we are saved for good (John 10:28–29; Romans 10:9–10). Our place in Christ is secure.

Yet backsliding is not the end of the story. God consistently calls His people to return to Him, extending mercy and restoration to those who repent. The warning is real but so is the invitation: to turn back, be renewed, and walk closely with Him again.

UNDERSTAND

• Backsliding is a heart-level drift away from God.
• Backsliding is dangerous but temporary for true believers.
• God calls those who backslide back to Himself.

REFLECT

• What do you do when you see subtle drift in your own walk with God?
• How do you typically respond when doubts, hardships, or distractions begin pulling your heart away from God?
• What would it look like for you to intentionally pursue closeness with God so when difficulties or temptations come, you do not backslide?

ENGAGE

• Why is backsliding so dangerous, and how can we recognize early signs of spiritual drift in our lives before it becomes backsliding?
• What do we learn about God in the way that He pursues and secures believers, even if they are backsliding?
• What role should community play in helping restore someone who has begun to wander from their faith?