Seven Steps to Backsliding

Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

Mark 14:71 (NKJV)

INTRODUCTION: Backsliding is a process. Eve, first saw, then desired, then took. So we may trace Peter’s fall step by step. Let us examine our own hearts in the light of the tragic events in Peter’s downward descent.

Peter’s example served to warn both the first Christians in Rome and us as well. No matter how courageous we profess we will be, we must stand firm under trial. We need to be aware of our own breaking points and not become overconfident or self-sufficient. In 1 Corinthians 10:12 Paul wrote, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”.

But Peter’s example also encourages us. If we fail Jesus, we must remember that Christ can use those who recognize their failure and return to him for forgiveness.

STEP NUMBER ONE
Self-Confidence. Peter said, Although all should be offended yet will not I (Mark 14:29).

STEP NUMBER TWO
Boasting. If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee, in any wise (Mark 14:31). So said they all, but Peter spake the more vehemently.

STEP NUMBER THREE
Unwatchfulness. Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? (Mark 14:37). Sleepy souls are easy marks for Satan’s temptations.

STEP NUMBER FOUR
Shame. Peter followed him afar off (Mark 14:54).
Christ was now less popular with the crowd, Peter follows but not near enough to be identified with Him. Ashamed to bear the reproach of Christ, the disciple is backsliding and afar off. This is followed by neglect of prayer, reading, and worship.

STEP NUMBER FIVE
Worldliness. Peter sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire (Mark 14:54). After falling out of step with Christ, it now becomes natural to warm at the fire of the world.

STEP NUMBER SIX
Denial. The natural consequence of self confidence, boasting, lethargy, and worldliness is denial (Mark 14:67-71).
The world and the Devil will surely put the pressure on and all are forced to either confess Christ or deny Christ with our daily lives.

STEP NUMBER SEVEN
Recklessness. He began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man (Mark 14:71). Often times seven devils return to the house that is now swept and garnished. Peter’s threefold denial matches his threefold failure to watch with Jesus in Gethsemane, and it shows him to be much like the shallow rocky ground in the parable of the sower. When tribulation comes, the word that has been received with joy begins to wilt under persecution’s scorching heat, and people fall away (Mark 4:16-17).

CONCLUSION:
What is the cure for backsliding? It is confession and repentance (Luke 22:57-62; Matthew 26:75). Peter went out and wept bitterly. Now in all sincerity, have we been guilty of boasting, shame, or self-confidence? If we have, we can start the revival in our own hearts by humble repentance. when Jesus turned toward Peter, hope was reborn for Peter’s own turning back in repentance, on account of Jesus’ prayer (Luke 22:32). Indeed, Peter’s sinning against Jesus three times in one day is more than covered by Jesus’ offer of sevenfold forgiveness for those who turn back (Luke 17:4). Later, Peter will thus preach to others that they should repent and “turn back” to God (Acts 3:19).

The answer to failure is repentance. Your life may hold such mistakes and failures, too: a spoiled marriage, a devastating financial loss, a denial of your faith. It seems that the hurt will never go away. How God’s pardoning grace and the Savior’s forgiving love are revealed when our Lord looked on Peter (Luke 22:61;  Isa 1:18; 53:6; 55:6, 7; 1 John 1:7). When Peter heard the crowing of the rooster, and saw Jesus looking at him, with eyes full of pain, yet also of pardon, his memory of Christ’s warning prediction was suddenly awakened. We must not forget that the look of Jesus would have been wasted on Peter if it had not been that Peter was looking at Jesus.

His sorrow is emphasized by the verb epiballo, It means “to throw over” or “to cast upon.” Perhaps “he threw himself down,” or “he broke down and wept” or “he dashed outside” (Matt. 26:75; Luke 22:62). He does not rend his garments as the high priest did, but he does rend his heart (Joel 2:12 – 13) over his great sin. When Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ (Mark 8:29), Jesus admonished his disciples, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38). Billows of shame now wash over Peter because he was ashamed to be associated with Jesus.

In the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the proconsul tells the bishop, “Swear and I will release you.” Polycarp replies, “Eighty-six years I have served him, and he had done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who has saved me?” According to Justin Martyr, the Jewish rebel leader Bar Kochba (132 – 135) gave Christians the choice between death and cursing Christ (1 Apol. 31.6). Cursing Christ therefore was proof that one was not a Christian. Mark implies that Peter commits this blasphemy. This would make Peter’s fall all the more dreadful and his restoration all the more remarkable.

End of Peter’s story is forgiveness and restoration. Peter became the “rock” of the church. No failure or mistake is beyond repair. Jesus offers forgiveness, renewed strength, and power to live again. Jesus can work the miracle your life needs.

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