“Sin ... exceedingly sinful” (Romans 7:13)

This devotion is for backsliders. When God first regenerated your heart, you were so aware of your sin that you vowed you’d never sin again. Then, within a few months, you let down your standards and wondered if it was God that gave you such a black and white view of sin. Yes, it was God that showed you how dangerous sin is.

At the time of your conversion, your conscience was so tender, you were afraid of the slightest sin. You had a godly fear, lest you offend Jesus. When the Holy Spirit first came into you, you were keenly aware of Him. You turned off TV shows and quickly looked away from “click bait” so as not to grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30). But your Old Man has gradually gained influence, and now you live a life of compromise like everyone you used to feel sorry for.

At first, a little sin startled you; but soon you said, "it’s just a little one". Then there came another, a little larger, and then another, until by degrees you begin to regard sin as normal. Then, what followed was an unholy presumption: "I haven’t fallen into open sin. True, I trip a little, but I stand back up. I said a swear word, but most of my conversation is clean”. So now you forgive yourself for things you used to be embarrassed about.

If you’re backslidden, you need to repent. Hopefully this Scripture doesn’t apply to you. “It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame” (Hebrews 6:4-6).