Negligence is failure to take proper care in doing something. Postponing schedules if it is not necessary is also a form of negligence. “There are many who neglect their duties outside the desk, and the condition of the churches testifies to the character of their work. Doubts, unbelief, backsliding, formality, exist in a marked degree.” –The Review and Herald, October 21, 1884
To retract is to withdraw. It can be considered as “Backsliding” and it begins by neglecting, or unbelieving willingly. “Backsliding.” What a terrible sounding word. If I were to ask, “Are you a backslider?” how would you answer the question?
Some would simply say “no” because they do not want to admit that they are not right with God.
Others would say “no” because they do not really understand what it means to be backslidden.
It is possible that someone could say “no” because he or she truly is right with the LORD?
Very few would say “yes”. I seriously doubt that any of us would admit that we are, at this present moment, outside of the will of God.
Satan led many of our forefathers to neglect their duties and we today are not free from his temptations. Eve was the first to be tempted and the first to sin. It all began by neglect, which led her to retract (withdraw) into hiding from God’s presence, their beloved Creator.
We read of her neglect as follows: “Satan commenced his work with Eve, to cause her to disobey. She first erred in wandering from her husband, next in lingering around the forbidden tree, and next in listening to the voice of the tempter, and even daring to doubt what God had said, ‘In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.’ She thought that perhaps the Lord did not mean just what He said, and venturing, she put forth her hand, took of the fruit and ate.” –Early Writings, p. 147
Eli, the high priest, is another example showing the results of neglect. “Eli had greatly erred in permitting his sons to minister in holy office. By excusing their course, on one pretext and another, he became blinded to their sins. . . . God condemns the negligence that dallies with sin and crime, and the insensibility that is slow to detect its baleful presence in the families of professed Christians. He holds parents accountable in a great degree for the faults and follies of their offspring. God visited with His curse not only the sons of Eli, but Eli himself, and this fearful example should be a warning to the parents of this time.” –Conflict and Courage, p. 142
“Eli did not manage his household according to God’s rules for family government. He followed his own judgment…. Many are now making a similar mistake. They think they know a better way of training their children than that which God has given in His word. They foster wrong tendencies in them, urging as an excuse. ‘They are too young to be punished. Wait till they become older, and can be reasoned with.’ Thus wrong habits are left to strengthen until they become second nature. The children grow up without restraint, with traits of character that are a lifelong curse to them and are liable to be reproduced in others. . . .
“While some err upon the side of undue severity, Eli went to the opposite extreme. . . . Their faults were overlooked in their childhood, and excused in their days of youth. The commands of the parents were disregarded, and the father did not enforce obedience. The children saw that they could hold the lines of control, and they
improved the opportunity. As the sons advanced in years, they lost all respect for their fainthearted father. They went on in sin without restraint. . . . The Lord Himself decreed that for the sins of Eli’s sons no atonement should be made by sacrifice or offering forever. How great, how lamentable, was their fall,—men upon whom rested sacred responsibilities, proscribed, outlawed from mercy, by a just and holy God!” –Ibid., p. 143
Do not neglect duty
During the time of Christ, His parents neglected their duty to care for the Saviour. They were to regard Him as their most precious gift. “Joseph and Mary had neglected theirs. God had shown them high honor in committing to them His Son.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 81
It takes only a second to draw away from Christ. We may think that Mary and Joseph were not careful about Christ their Saviour, but this is no different than what we do. You may say to yourself that if I was Mary I could not spend a day away from my Saviour, but many Christians do the same today.
All serious backsliding in religion begins with the neglect of private devotions such as, meditation, self-examination, reading the Scriptures, praise, and prayer. When one backslides, religion is gradually excluded from the important duties of life and is shoved into a corner, no longer needing hourly attention.
The next step is the neglect of family and social religion. Such a soul finds religious duties and meetings unprofitable. He will cease to pray and read his Bible and withdraw from meetings, even from the Lord’s Table. He will no longer be seeking for holiness and humility. He will not be watchful, or spiritually minded, and will not be able to resist temptation as before. Sometimes he hopes he will profit, but his conduct soon shows that he is mistaken. His expectation deceives him.
“The very beginning of the evil was a neglect of watchfulness and secret prayer, then came a neglect of other religious duties, and thus the way was opened for all the sins that followed. Every Christian will be assailed by the allurements of the world, the clamors of the carnal nature, and the direct temptations of Satan. No one is safe. No matter what our experience has been, no matter how high our station, we need to watch and pray continually. We must be daily controlled by the Spirit of God or we are controlled by Satan.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 102
How many times do you neglect your Saviour? How far have you gone away from Him? “Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17. Peter here wrote regarding backsliding that, at one point, you knew the right thing to do, but you fell away by some error.
“The standard of piety is low among professed Christians generally, and it is hard for the young to resist the worldly influences that are encouraged by many church members. The majority of nominal Christians, while they profess to be living for Christ, are really living for the world. They do not discern the excellence of heavenly things, and therefore cannot truly love them. Many profess to be Christians because Christianity is considered honorable. They do not discern that genuine Christianity means cross-bearing, and their religion has little influence to restrain them from taking part in worldly pleasures…
“Some can enter the ballroom and unite in all the amusements which it affords. Others cannot go to such lengths as this, yet they can attend parties of pleasure, picnics, shows and other places of worldly amusement; and the most discerning eye would fail to detect any difference between their appearance and that of unbelievers.” –Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 326
We have the example of Dinah, who wandered into the land of the Moabites. She well knew that it is forbidden to play on dangerous ground. “And Dinah the daughter of Leah, which she bare unto Jacob, went out to see the daughters of the land.” Genesis 34:1. How about the neglect of some youth today?
In the same way Samson, who was the anointed one of God, one who would bring victory to Israel, also wandered away from God. He thought himself wise and did not listen to his parent’s counsel. “And Samson went down to Timnath, and saw a woman in Timnath of the daughters of the Philistines.” Judges 14:1
Many unconverted Christians go astray, even in God’s church. They neglect their duties, their prayers, missionary work, or they neglect the need to keep the body healthy. “Some of our brethren engaged in business have not kept the Sabbath according to the commandment. Some have been in partnership with unbelievers, and the influence of these Sabbathbreaking associates has had its effect upon them. Some have been so blinded that they could not discern the danger in such connections, but it is only the greater because unperceived. While one partner is professedly observing the Sabbath, the other, with the laborers employed, is carrying on the business of the firm. The Sabbathkeeper, though not outwardly engaged in labor, cannot keep his thoughts from business matters. While he may endeavor to keep the Sabbath, he does not keep it. The Lord looks upon him as a transgressor.” –Testimony Treasures, vol. 2, p. 180
Examine yourself to see if you are neglecting your duties or you have already retracted (backslidden).
Is Bible study not interesting to you anymore? You might be backslidden. Are you no longer engaged in some form of study of the word of God? You might be backslidden. Does good preaching bore you? Do the doctrines not interest you? Does reproof or correction offend you? Does instruction annoy you? You might be backslidden. Another dangerous sign is a neglect of prayer. Prayer is one of our basic spiritual nutrients. We are encouraged to pray without ceasing. Do not allow your connection to heaven to be broken. True prayer requires discipline; but it is the strength of the believer.
Another indication of backsliding which leads to retraction is church attendance. Some attempt to offer an acceptable excuse for why they do not attend like they should, however, they are just excuses. Coming to church should be a delight; not just a duty.
Neglecting even small duties can lead to serious backsliding. It may be the repeated committing of many seemingly small, hardly noticeable disobediences. But the truth is that these gradually harden the heart making one less sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s convicting and guiding voice. It can being busy with things which are not in themselves sinful, for example, sport, church musicals, or hobbies, which prevent us from having time to do the things God has called us to do.
Slow backsliding can result from things like continually telling “innocent” lies. It can also result from becoming extremely interested in our house and material possessions to the point of idolatry.
Gradually, the first love for Jesus will be lost and the Christians becomes spiritually lukewarm. Once someone becomes lukewarm towards God, the next step is they have to make a choice: They either repent and become on fire for Him again or they become cold and will perish.
Take heed
In the Bible the words, “take heed”, appear many times. To take heed means to be careful or pay attention. It is the opposite of “neglect. ” “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, … to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul.” “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God.” Joshua 22:5; 23:11. If you do not take heed, you will neglect and retract.
Neglecting to pay attention is a very big challenge for us today. God gave His people the following warnings:
“Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee.” Exodus 34:12. If you do not pay attention you will find yourself copying their habits without noticing it. This is easy to do if you have been negligent and been guilty of retraction.
“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them.” Deuteronomy 11:16
“Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.” Deuteronomy 12:19. This is the duty of each Christian. Levites were appointed to take care of the tabernacle services and had no inheritance among the 12 tribes.
In the following paragraph God has two questions for His people that they need to take heed of. “In the various departments of secular labor, mental and physical, faithful workmen can earn good wages. Is not the work of disseminating truth, and leading souls to Christ, of more importance than any ordinary business? And are not those who faithfully engage in this work justly entitled to ample remuneration?” –The Acts of the Apostles, p. 341
“Take heed now; for the Lord hath chosen thee to build an house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it. 1
Chronicles 28:10. This verse concerns your support for the prosperity of the church. You can help the gospel go forward by supporting church buildings or any other project in God’s cause. If you neglect this, you are in danger.
“Take heed, regard not iniquity” Job 36:21. Do not neglect to repent and forsake your besetting sins. Decide to separate yourself from sin. Resist the devil. Pray much and work diligently to overcome.
“Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the sabbath day, nor bring it in by the gates of Jerusalem; Neither carry forth a burden out of your houses on the sabbath day, neither do ye any work, but hallow ye the sabbath day, as I commanded your fathers.” Jeremiah 17:21–22
Neglecting true Sabbath observance is manifested in different ways. The Sabbath is a sign of the relationship existing between God and His people. The fourth commandment begins with the word, “Remember.” The Lord knew that amidst the multitude of cares and perplexities that people face every day, they would be tempted to be too busy from meeting the full requirement of the law, especially the Sabbath. Therefore, He said: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8
When the Sabbath is thus remembered, temporal matters will take second place to spiritual matters. No duty pertaining to the six working days will be left for the Sabbath. It is possible to do this if you make a firm decision to do it. Circumstances will not justify anyone in working upon the Sabbath for the sake of worldly profit. If God excuses one man, He may as well excuse all.
“Therefore, take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.” Malachi 2:15 “If those who are contemplating marriage would not have miserable, unhappy reflections after marriage, they must make it a subject of serious, earnest reflection now. This step taken unwisely is one of the most effective means of ruining the usefulness of young men and women. . . . No one can so effectually ruin a woman’s happiness and usefulness, and make life a heartsickening burden, as her own husband; and no one can do one hundredth part as much to chill the hopes and aspirations of a man, to paralyze his energies and ruin his influence and prospects, as his own wife.” –The Adventist Home, p. 43
“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:4–5
“Take heed what ye hear.” Mark 4:24. “But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.” Mark 13:23
“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.” Mark 13:33
“Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.” Luke 11:35. By not using the light you have received, your heart soon become cold and insensitive.
People spend much time earning money and building up their business and they can easily forget the words of Jesus. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.” Luke 12:15
Pure negligence has the following results. “And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” Luke 21:34
“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. This verse refers to pastors, church elders, church leaders, evangelists and workers. Parents and teachers are also direct representative of God to those under their care. Do not neglect your responsibilities. “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.” Colossians 4:17. “Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.” 2 Chronicles 19:6
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12. Examine yourself and serve God with fear and trembling. “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:16
“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Hebrews 2:1
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12. This is what leads many into apostasy or resignation from truth or God’s church.
Take heed to not worship the beast or receive his mark. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:18 “If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God.” Revelation 14:9–10. Whoever knows the truth but does not keep the Sabbath according to the commandment is on the enemy’s side. There is no neutral ground in the great controversy.
Do not turn from God’s requirements by neglecting little things. “Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” Genesis 19:17. Take heed to not forget the experience of the patriarchs. “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32). She perished by disobeying a simple requirement. (Genesis 19)
Great victories are gained from faithfulness in little things. “How little we appreciate this fact. Actions make habits, and habits, character.” –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 194
“It is conscientious attention to what the world terms ‘little things’ that makes life a success. Little deeds of charity, little acts of self-denial, speaking simple words of helpfulness, watching against little sins–this is Christianity.” –Messages to Young People, p. 143
There is hope still of turning back and being vigilant.
“For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion . . . For the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if ye return unto Him.” 2 Chronicles 30:9. Christ is ready to assist all who have backslidden to return to the vineyard to do His work. He will forgive their sins. “Your compassionate Redeemer is watching you in love and sympathy, ready to hear your prayers and render you the assistance which you need in your lifework.”–Child Guidance, p. 173
Departing from the presence of God, there is not the joy or peace that people think the world will give them. Instead there is only sorrow and suffering, but the Lord promises joy to those who come back to Him. When Samson asked forgiveness and repented, the Lord granted him strength once again and he killed more Philistines in his death than he did during his life. :“And I will make them and the places round about My hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26
The call to repentance was sounds with unmistakable clearness, and all are invited to return. “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6–7
“Have you, reader, chosen your own way? Have you wandered far from God? Have you sought to feast upon the fruits of transgression, only to find them turn to ashes upon your lips? . . . Return to your Father’s House.” –Prophets and Kings, p. 319–320
“Do not listen to the enemy’s suggestion to stay away from Christ until you have made yourself better, until you are good enough to come to God. If you wait until then you will never come. When Satan points to your filthy garments, repeat the promise of the Saviour, ‘Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.’ John 6:37. Tell the enemy that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin. Make the prayer of David your own: ‘Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.’ Psalm 51:7.” –Ibid., p. 321
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.” Hebrews 3:12–14. Amen
Sister Sherfield Bright (Kenya)
and
Victor Shumbusho (DR Congo)