The Occasion of Backsliding.
THE cause of backsliding is not far to seek. Compassed about as we are with many infirmities of the flesh, even as we are with the flesh itself, which lusteth against the Spirit, and is contrary to it; not to speak of the ever-present and persistent activity of the great enemy who, with many wiles, is evermore seeking to ensnare unwary Christian souls; we may readily point out the cause of backsliding. However, it is not so much the cause as the occasion which concerns us. For, if we give no occasion to the flesh and the devil, they are powerless against us even in our weakness. For, if we walk in the Spirit, we need not fulfill the lusts of the flesh; and if we resist the devil, steadfast in the faith, even he will flee from us. Backsliding begins in the life of any Christian as soon as he ceases to grow in grace or in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our life is in the course of this world; and, the instant we give over the upward and forward movement, that moment the current begins to carry us downward. At first it may not be perceptible; the dead point must be overcome, but thence afterward the backward movement is sure to be rapid and strong. Let that Christian fear for his spiritual welfare the moment he gives over regular communication with God by means of the word of God and prayer. The temptation to relax in both these exercises is very great, except in the case of those who have gotten into the love of the word and into the delight of prayer. Few Christians are aware of the peril they expose themselves to spiritually, when they find that prayer has ceased to be an habitual exercise with them, and that the word of God has ceased to have a daily place in their thoughts and meditations. It is very easy to give over Bible reading, more easy than to cease to pray; but one will not long continue in prayer after he has ceased to read his Bible. God speaks to us through his word, and we speak to God by prayer. It follows that communion between the soul and God is mutual. It is difficult to keep up conversation with an earthly friend who never speaks a word in return to us. It is equally difficult to continue spiritual conversation with God if we refuse to allow him to speak back to us. Indeed, we must give God the lead in communion, else will we fail in matter of communion, and our desires and delights will cease in the Godward direction. This danger is all the more subtle for the reason that a form of prayer may be maintained without there being any communion in connection with it. It is possible to continue drawing near with our lips while our hearts are far from him; and when this habit becomes established, the life becomes paralyzed; and unless the paralysis is speedily removed from the soul, it is only a question of time when the worshiper becomes a "whited sepulcher." The chief occasion then of backsliding, in our judgment, is to be found in the relaxing or giving over of Bible study and prayer. So long as these defenses are maintained, the soul is sure to dwell in security; for neither the flesh nor the devil can make head against a soul that is in constant and living communion with God. Though the enemy should assault us as he did our Lord on the mount, or in the wilderness, or on the temple top, we will be ready with the unfailing, "It is written."—Independent.