Backsliding Preventives

THERE are many backsliders in the world. Like many other bad things, this

can be, and should be, prevented. In this study we call attention to some

effective preventives.

Let God Say Something to Us Every Day

I know of no better way of preventing backsliding than by letting God say

something to us every day. So many go day after day without looking into

God's book. By doing this they are refusing to allow God to say something to

them. God has many things he wants to say to us. We ought to be anxious to

listen.

When we listen to God, then, we do not have to walk in darkness. "Thy

word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Ps. 119:105.) We

should take great delight in listening to God talk to us. "Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of

sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of

the Lord: and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Ps. 1:1,2.) When

we love folks, we delight in their work. Some of the noble ones of old

searched the Scriptures daily to find out the truth. (Acts 17:11.) And when we

search a thing, we do not give it a mere glance. And Jesus wants us to search

the Scriptures. (John 5:39.) We are commanded to study. (2 Tim. 2:15.)

Did you ever know of anyone backsliding who allowed God to talk to him

every day? We are far more apt to backslide when we cease searching the

Scriptures.Say Something to God Every Day

Not only should we allow God to say something to us every day, but we

should say something to him every day. Yea, many times a day we should pray

to him and thank him for our many blessings. To do less than this is base

ingratitude. Someone has said: "Prayer will stop sin or sin will stop prayer."

Sin has stopped prayer in so many lives. But, thanks be to God, prayer has

stopped sin in many others. Maybe our sins have separated us from God. so

that he no longer hears. "If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear

me." (Ps. 66:18.)

Of course if we turn away our ears from hearing the law of God, even our

prayers are an abomination. (Prov. 28:9.) Real prayer avails so much. ''The

effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16.)

Say Something for God Every Day

We should allow God to say something to us every day. We should say

something to God every day, and we should say something for God every day.

We are too prone not to speak a word for God every day. Our speech should

have more of God and more for God in it. God is not speaking directly to

poor, lost souls today, but we can. We can tell about the love of God for

them.

Many are turned out of the way that might be turned back to the way of

life if we were to talk to them about their souls. And what a glorious work that

is! "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him

know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save

a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19, 20.)

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ." (Phil.

1:27.) Opportunities are lying all about us for saying something in behalf of

God and his great scheme of human redemption. While others are talking for

error we should be busily engaged in talking for God. When we associatein a social and business way with our friends, how fine it would be if we

would drop a few words for God into the conversation! It might save a soul,

and it will keep us from losing ours.

Do Something for God Every Day 

Our days are full of things that we do. Not enough of that doing is for

God. We should look for opportunities of doing good. "As we have therefore

opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the

household of faith." (Gal. 6:10.)

One of the greatest things we can do for God is to let our light so shine

before men that they will see our good works and glorify our Father which is

in heaven. (Matt. 5:16.) Powerful influences for God are exerted by the

humble and sincere life of a humble and sincere Christian. We should not

shine our lights, but we should let our light shine.

So much of what we do in this world is in vain, but not one thing of what

we do for God is in vain. He takes not of every little thing we do. How sweet

to know he knows! "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,

unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye

know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58.)