Category Archives: Backsliding

The Danger of Leaving God’s Pasture

Posted on March 4, 2020 by russellmckinney

An old shepherd once attended a church service and was called upon to pray. The prayer he offered spoke of three things: his Christianity, his occupation of shepherd, and his experience with stepping outside God’s will. He prayed, “Lord, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, Choices, Contentment, Decisions, Desires, God's Will, Temptation | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Resolution or Repentance?

Posted on January 2, 2020 by russellmckinney

Little Johnny’s mother plainly told him not to eat any cookies before supper. As soon as her back was turned, though, Johnny ate some cookies. When the mother discovered what he had done, she asked him, “Didn’t you know it … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Change, New Year, Repentance, Sin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

How to Hurt Your Best Friend

Posted on December 28, 2019 by russellmckinney

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Disobedience, Holiness, Jealousy, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Sanctification, Separation, Sin, Temptation, The Holy Spirit | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

How Satan Leads Us to Our Own Destruction

Posted on December 7, 2019 by russellmckinney

Noted British pastor Charles Spurgeon once told the story of a preacher who was taking a leisurely stroll through a small village. As the preacher walked along, he saw a farmer leading a herd of pigs down the road. Since … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Choices, Decisions, Discernment, God's Will, Satan, Sin, Temptation, The Devil | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dead In Sin or Dead To Sin?

Posted on July 29, 2019 by russellmckinney

One little word can make a big difference. A Biblical example of this is found in the salvation experience. The difference is between the words “in” and “to.” Ephesians 2:1-5 and Colossians 2:13 teach that each of us was born … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Baptism, Belief, Discipleship, Disobedience, Doing Good, Personal Holiness, Rebellion, Salvation, Sin | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

When False Teeth Become a Problem

Posted on July 27, 2019 by russellmckinney

but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16, N.K.J.V.) In his booklet How to Kill a Church Without Really … Continue reading →

Posted in Adultery, Alcohol, Backsliding, Character, Church, Discipleship, Doing Good, Dress and Appearance, Drugs, God's Holiness, God's Work, Holiness, Homosexuality, Influence, Lying, Making Restitution, Money, Personal Holiness, Repentance, Righteousness, Salvation, Sanctification, Sex, Sin, Temptation, The Tongue | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Ichabod

Posted on July 1, 2019 by russellmckinney

Ichabod is an odd name. When you mention it, the average person’s mind goes to Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster character in Washington Irving’s famous short story The Legend of Sleep Hollow. Students of the Bible, however, know that the name actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Church, Coming Judgment, Discernment, Disobedience, God's Wrath, God's Judgment, God's Word, Problems, Rebellion, Scripture, Sin | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Jonah Path

Posted on May 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

Here’s some Bible trivia for you. Question: What is the Bible’s only book that ends with a question? Answer: Jonah. Jonah 4:11 closes the book with God asking the prophet Jonah: “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Honesty, Personal, Prayer, Problems, Suffering, Trials, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thy Rod & Thy Staff They Comfort Me

Posted on April 10, 2019 by russellmckinney

The 23rd Psalm is all about how the Lord leads His people. My favorite part of the Psalm is verse 2: He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. (K.J.V.) Green pastures … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Backsliding, Comfort, Depression, Disappointment, Discipleship, Disobedience, Encouragement, Fear, God's Omniscience, God's Provision, Obedience, Persecution, Perseverance, Problems, Satan, Spiritual Warfare, Submission, Suffering, Temptation, The Devil, Trials, Trusting In God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Getting Right About Being Wrong

Posted on February 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13, N.K.J.V.) A businessman stopped at a restaurant and ordered a cup of coffee. The waitress didn’t even try to disguise her … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Attitude, Backsliding, Change, Confession, Conscience, Conviction, Disobedience, Forgiveness, God's Mercy, Lying, Making Restitution, Obedience, Rebellion, Restoration, Sin | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment