Don’t Turn Back

But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NKJV)

When I see someone who has turned back from serving God—taken their “hand off the plow”—I always want to ask: What happened? Why did you return to things you once left behind? What distracted you, enticed you, or pulled you back? How did you allow this to happen?

We’ve seen it happen to friends and perhaps even within our own family. We worshiped with them and worked together in various ministries of the church. Then one day they chose to leave it all behind. It grieves us and drives us to our knees.

That’s what happened when Demas deserted the apostle Paul and his other co-laborers in the gospel. After all they had shared together and endured together, why did Demas leave? Paul tells us his love changed from the things of God to things of this temporal world. His values had shifted.

“For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.” (II Timothy 4:10, ESV)

Reading about Demas causes me to wonder. Could this happen to me if I’m not careful? First Corinthians 10:12 lets me know that it is possible for any of us to turn back if we aren’t careful. The warning is clear: “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (ESV). We must stay on guard so the enemy does not entice us away.

A person does not backslide overnight. At first, it may start as a slow, almost imperceptible slide. But there are warning signs. A statement by John Charles Ryle (1816-1900) tells us how the backward slide begins.

“Backsliding generally first begins with neglect of private prayer.”

Just a little neglect can have far-reaching consequences.

In searching the Scriptures, I found several signs that might indicate a person is drifting away from God. We can use these verses as a self-check to reveal weak areas in our spiritual life.

• Love of the world. (I John 2:15-17)
• Lack of a personal prayer life. (Matthew 26:41)
• Intolerant of sound doctrine. (II Timothy 4:3)
• Deceived by false teaching. (Matthew 24:11)
• Have wandered away from truth. (James 5:19-20)
• Lack personal discipline. (I Corinthians 9:27)
• Have allowed your thoughts to lead you astray. (II Corinthians 11:3)
• Have become spiritually forgetful. (II Peter 1:9)
• Have dulled hearing. (Hebrews 5:11)
• Have gone back to old sins. (II Peter 2:20-22)

Ask God to open your eyes to anything that might cause you to stumble in your walk with Him and make it a matter of prayer.

I like how The Message states Philippians 3:13-14.

“I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision – you’ll see it yet!”

Lord, reveal any weak areas in my walk with You that might cause me to stumble. Help me to stay alert, on guard, so that I will not be deceived by the things of this world. Keep my hand steady on the plow and my eyes looking forward.