Backsliding doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a slow drift, a step here and a step there, until one day you realize you’re far from where you once were. The danger is that many don’t even notice the warning signs. If you’re not careful, you can be so wrapped up in your own ways that you don’t realize how much you’ve changed.
The Bible warns us about backsliding, and throughout Scripture, we see people who fell into the same traps.
Here are nine signs that you may be slipping away from God—and why it’s not too late to turn back.
1. You Are Satisfied with Yourself
One of the biggest dangers of backsliding is thinking you’re fine when you’re not. Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.” This means a person who is backsliding is so focused on what they want that they stop paying attention to what God wants.
Samson is a perfect example of this (Judges 16:20).
He thought he could live however he wanted and still have God’s power. He didn’t even realize the LORD had left him until it was too late. When you become content with just going through the motions instead of staying close to God, you’re in a dangerous place.
2. You’ve Walked Away from Your First Love
In Revelation 2:4, Jesus told the church at Ephesus, “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” When you first got saved, you loved telling others about God. You shared how reading the Bible, going to church, and praying had helped you. But over time, that love can grow cold.
Demas is an example of someone who drifted away (2 Timothy 4:10). Paul said, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.”
He once served God with excitement, but slowly let other things take priority.
If you find yourself making excuses for why you’re too busy for God, you are slipping away. If you aren’t in love with serving the Lord like you were in the past, you are backsliding.
3. Sin Doesn’t Bother You Like It Used To
At first, sin bothers you. You feel convicted when you do wrong. But over time, if you don’t deal with it, you can become numb.
Peter warned about this in 2 Peter 2:20, saying that those who go back to sin after escaping it will end up worse than before.
Lot is a sad example of this (Genesis 19). He chose to live in Sodom, knowing it was wicked. Eventually, he got so comfortable there that when it was time to leave, his wife couldn’t bear to let go and turned back to the city.
Even after escaping, sin still had a hold on his family. If you find yourself making excuses for things you once knew were wrong, be careful.
4. You Blame Others Instead of Repenting
When a person is backsliding, they often blame everything but themselves. Jeremiah 2:19 says, “Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee.” Instead of admitting their sin, they justify it and the backsliding continues.
King Saul did this (1 Samuel 15:13-23). When Samuel confronted him about his disobedience, Saul didn’t take responsibility. He blamed the people. Because of his refusal to repent, he lost his kingdom. When you get defensive or shift blame instead of confessing sin, you are on a dangerous path.
5. You Avoid Spending Time with God
Backsliding often begins when you stop seeking God. Jeremiah 3:22 says, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” God is waiting or you to call out to Him, but many people stay distant because they don’t want to face their sin.
Adam and Eve did this in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8-10). After they sinned, they hid from God instead of running to Him. If you find yourself skipping prayer, avoiding the Bible, and staying away from preaching, it is a sign you are drifting.
6. You Ignore Correction
No one likes being corrected, but a person who is backsliding will resist it completely. Instead of receiving it, they get upset or offended. Galatians 6:1 tells us to restore those who fall in a spirit of meekness, but not everyone wants to be restored.
King Ahab hated the prophet Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8, 27-28) because he didn’t like hearing the truth. Instead of repenting, he ignored the warning and went into battle anyway. He died just as God had warned. If you push away godly counsel, you are going down the wrong road.
7. You Distance Yourself from Church and Godly Friends
One of the biggest signs of backsliding is when a person starts missing church or avoiding godly people. It doesn’t happen all at once. First, they miss one service. Then another. Then they start feeling uncomfortable around strong Christians because they know they aren’t right with God.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-17) left his father’s house to do what he wanted. He wasted his life and ended up in misery. Only when he hit rock bottom did he realize how far he had fallen. If you find yourself drifting from church and godly friends, don’t wait until you’re at your lowest point to turn back.
8. You Are Comfortable in a Lukewarm State
Revelation 3:16 warns, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” The Laodicean church thought they were doing fine, but in reality, they were spiritually poor.
Many Christians today are the same way. They aren’t openly rejecting God, but they aren’t fully surrendered either.
They go to church, but there’s no real fire in their heart. They don’t read their Bible much. They pray when they need something.
If you’ve become comfortable in a spiritual rut, it’s time to wake up before it’s too late.
9. You Make Excuses Instead of Taking Action
When a person is backsliding, they always have a reason why they can’t change. “I’m too busy.” “I’ll get right later.” “It’s not that bad.” But Proverbs 28:13 says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
Felix, the Roman governor (Acts 24:25), heard Paul preach and was convicted, but instead of repenting, he said, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.”
He never did. Some people know they need to get right but keep putting it off. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes.
It’s Not Too Late to Turn Back
If any of these signs describe you, don’t ignore them. The longer you stay on this path, the harder it will be to turn around.
But the good news is that God is ready for you!
Jeremiah 3:22 says, “Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings.” No matter how far you’ve drifted, God’s arms are open.
You don’t have to stay where you are.
Repent, turn back to Him, and let Him restore you.
It’s not too late to come home.
