“If you are not as close to God as you used to be, you do not have to guess who moved.” 

On a cold afternoon in late October 2023, Freddie Wayne Huff walked into the federal courthouse in Greensboro, KY flanked by U.S. marshals. He wore an orange jumpsuit, his movements constricted by the chains around his wrists and ankles. He’d once been one of the finest drug enforcement officers in the country, responsible for millions of dollars in drug and cash seizures. Yet, he’d become a top drug kingpin, using his knowledge from a decade of busting drug runners. He exploited law enforcement procedures to save cartels millions of dollars and catapult himself to the top of North Carolina’s drug trade.  For five years he ran a sprawling drug empire, stretching from the Mexican border to North Carolina, becoming the main supplier for networks along the East Coast. So, what happened? 

Probably, there were many factors. While most of us don’t know a former drug cop turned drug pusher, most of us know Christ-followers who have basically left the faith and have little or nothing to do with Christianity. If Huff’s story is like most, it was probably a few small compromises that brought him to this place of total destruction, at least that’s what happens to Christ-followers who stop following Jesus. Some completely abandon the faith in what is known as “deconstruction.” It, too, usually begins with a few small steps and compromises. Backsliding is a drifting away from God, often characterized by returning to old sinful habits, neglecting spiritual disciplines, or losing intimacy with Christ and God’s people. It usually follows the basic same pattern.

You neglect reading your Bible and personal devotions. You rationalize that you’re too busy or that you’ll get back on track tomorrow. Prayer stops being a vital part of your life. If you pray, it’s for your family or maybe a big problem you’re facing.

You stop battling sin. If you had an anger issue or a lust problem, you surrender to it and stop fighting. It becomes easier to continue down the path of this sin, giving into it more and more. Soon you find it’s picked up other sinful behaviors that accompany it. It shows up in your language.

You isolate yourself from Christian fellowship. Your circle of friends begins to change. You find that you’re more comfortable around friends who are either unbelievers or passive Christians. You begin dodging those who are serious about their faith. You may even rationalize that it’s more important to be around family, even though they’re unsaved rather than other committed Christ-followers. Soon you find that you’re not going to church. You might begin by watching church online, but it becomes a hassle, and if you watch, you’re not really engaged. 

You begin to get annoyed at “little” things that Christians do. You notice their inconsistencies. You begin to think of them as hypocrites. Little offenses become major. You listen to others complain or gossip and find yourself in agreement rather than seeing God’s working in their lives. 

You get busy with other stuff. Maybe work is becoming more demanding and you’re having to put in extra time. Then, you find that you’re more tired and rationalize that you need more rest and more down time. You have to take care of yourself and need “Me Time” or at least, “Family Time.” You find that you’re more selfish and think of yourself more. If you’re married you fight more, or the kids get on your nerves faster.

You get a new hobby or outlet. Weekends are your only time to go or do_____. At first, it was only Saturdays. Soon you find that it’s Friday night until Sunday night, and then you have to get ready for the work week.

You trade Christian community for distinctly unChristian company. Your entertainment choices begin to change. Perhaps you begin to drink more where it’s not just social but on the verge of becoming problematic. You’re thinking about cultural and moral issues becomes less biblical. You start to rationalize things that at one time you wanted nothing to do with, and you begin to enjoy sinful pleasures you once avoided. 

Your spirit and internal feelings grow darker. You find that you’re increasingly depressed, become angrier faster, or are just not very happy. You have to stay busy, be with friends, entertained, buy things, sleep more or are on your phone more. You dodge quiet and times of reflection. You don’t enjoy quiet because you don’t want to think and certainly don’t want to feel because your feelings are increasingly bad ones. 

Have you ever watched a nature program where a lion is chasing lunch in the form of a gazelle or a zebra? He goes after a straggler; the one separated from the rest. Similarly, Satan often grabs those following at a distance. They’ve distanced themselves from God: His Word, His people and His Work and are easy prey for the Enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So, how do you get off Satan’s lunch menu? 

1. You must recognize the problem.

You must look in the mirror of your soul and admit that YOU have a problem. Recovery begins with admitting you’ve strayed. Many backsliders avoid examining their hearts. True healing begins with an honest evaluation. If a boat is drifting in the current, recognizing the drift is the first step to correcting it.

2. You must confess your sin and repent of it. 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confession is not just admitting guilt but agreeing with God that your actions were wrong. Repentance means a change of heart. It’s like a child who’s wandered from a parent in a busy park. They recognize their mistake and run back, arms open, saying, “I’m sorry.” That child is immediately embraced. God is the same way with us.

3. Make God your first love…again.

Backsliding happens because we lose sight of Jesus’ love for us and our love for Jesus. Restoration means returning to the practices and priorities that once drew us close to Him. It’s like a marriage where a couple has grown apart. Rekindling love requires intentional effort—spending time together, communicating, and renewing commitment. The same is true in our relationship with God.

4. Surround yourself with godly fellowship.

Isolation is a petri dish for backsliding. Surrounding yourself with other believers provides spiritual encouragement. A coal removed from a fire quickly cools, yet when placed back with others, reignites. Fellowship keeps our faith healthy. Reconnect with your church community. Join a Bible study group to strengthen that sense of love and community.

Satan eats up wandering Christians. Make sure you’re not on his menu!