Church people are prone to use churchy words.

It’s understandable; most families communicate with words and stories that outsiders would not easily discern. I find it best to define a churchy term: backslidden.

This is descriptive of a person who surrenders their life to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior; yet, slides back into bondage to sinful behavior.

The backslider does not lose their eternal salvation; sadly, they lose fellowship with the Lord and tarnish their witness.

Through tough love and discipline, God seeks restoration of relationship. If the backslider repents of his or her sins, the Lord forgives them and draws them back into the fold.

The backslider steps back!

“I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise. I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees. I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands (Psalm 119:58-60 HCS).”