Category Archives: Backsliding

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 Sleepy Hollow. Students of the Bible, however, know that the name … 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

What Would You Give Up for Jesus?

Posted on June 28, 2019 by russellmckinney

One day a certain ruler, probably a ruler in a local synagogue, came to Jesus with a question. This ruler was young (Matthew 19:20), wealthy (Matthew 19:22), and lived a moral life by striving to keep God’s commandments (Matthew 19:17-20). … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Brokenness, Business, Change, Choices, Commitment, Decisions, Desires, Discipleship, Dying To Self, Faithfulness, God's Will, Greed, Idolatry, Individuality, Money, Obedience, Politics, Priorities, Prosperity, Sacrifice, Service, Sports, Stewardship, Submission | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Jonah Path

Posted on May 18, 2019 by russellmckinney

Question: “What is the Bible’s only book that ends with a question?” Answer: “Jonah.” Jonah 4:11 closes the book by way of God asking the prophet Jonah: “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Backsliding, Church, Church Attendance, Complaining, Contentment, Depression, Disappointment, Doubt, Encouragement, Faithfulness, God's Will, God's Work, Honesty, Mercy, Ministry, Missions, Obedience, Perseverance, Personal, Prayer, Preaching, Problems, Rebellion, Service, Suffering, Trials, Trusting In God, Truth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Has God Told You Something Lately?

Posted on May 13, 2019 by russellmckinney

Jesus remained completely silent when He stood before Herod Antipas for questioning (Luke 23:6-12). Nothing Antipas said or asked evoked a verbal response from Jesus. What made Christ’s behavior in this instance so strange was the fact that He didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Backsliding, Belief, Choices, Commitment, Conviction, Decisions, Disobedience, God's Wrath, God's Guidance, God's Judgment, God's Will, God's Word, Idolatry, Obedience, Prophecy, Rebellion, Repentance, Salvation, Sin, The Bible, The Gospel, 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. One of my favorite parts 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.) … Continue reading →

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