The Backsliding church

[Edify]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

 

[Seeker47]

You are absolutely not alone. You say the moving of the "spirit" has declined everywhere. Maybe you are looking in the wrong place.

The Spirit is alive and well, moving with force in the world. If you cannot find it in the church, look directly into God's word for yourself. Avoid the falsehood of the truth beginning with Matthew, only a half truth begins there. It begins in Genesis. Start there and you can find what you are looking for.

 

[GWH]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

I see that you seem to walk by feeling rather than by faith.
IOW, faith in GW should guide one's emotions when seeking discernment.
For reasons we may understand only sufficiently rather than completely,
God designed reality so that experiencing His presence is less than compelling,
so that even Jesus (God the Son) on the cross cried out “My God [the Father],
why have you forsaken [taken God the Spirit from] me?” (Matt. 27:46, Psa. 51:11)
This phenomenon is sometimes called “distanciation”, because we may feel alone
and experience God as “unknown” (Acts 17:23), even though He is close or immanent,
“for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28). Distanciation is not forsaken.
Believe it!

 

[ResidentAlien]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

It does concern me to see the state of Christianity today; but it doesn't do me or anyone else any good to fret or loose my peace of mind over it. All we can do is keep trusting Him, and pray He won't let us be led astray. That's something we all need to do every day in these dark times, in my opinion.

 

[Dino246]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

With respect, I might take your post more seriously if you had left out the part about your pastor not inviting you to preach. That makes the whole thing sound like you are venting about a personal slight.

As for some great “falling away”, that presupposes a particular eschatological interpretation which is not objectively valid.

By my observation, it is becoming increasingly clear which churches are preaching truth and which are coddling sinners. Both are growing.

 

[Edify]

With respect, I might take your post more seriously if you had left out the part about your pastor not inviting you to preach. That makes the whole thing sound like you are venting about a personal slight.

I was just being honest.
I suppose it's one of those things where you have to be there.
My last pastor let me preach at least once a month until I preached on false churches spreading their P&W albums. And yes I named names. After that, never again, because they were using much of their "stuff".
You will know them by their fruit.

 

[homwardbound]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

I see, read Hebrews 8:1-4, then continue to read all of Hebrews, between Farther and you to know truth, no flesh not even yours will ever please God Father Rom 8:3
So die to self, Rom 6, daily. Die to this world and stand in trust by God Col 1:21-22, and stand in verse 23 you by God in though Son are made as perfect by God not by anything else ever.
Then see in Hebrews 5:12 - Chapter 6, and understand God permits as is said in her 6:3 If God will permit. Only if you are sincere to know and trust God to know all. Do you? Then you will learn truth from Father and Son themselves as One, won for you.
Love even your enemies, as only Father through Son can do that easily, not me, thank you Father

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

I was just being honest.
I suppose it's one of those things where you have to be there.
My last pastor let me preach at least once a month until I preached on false churches spreading their P&W albums. And yes I named names. After that, never again, because they were using much of their "stuff".
You will know them by their fruit.

What praise & worship albums do you think are not of God?

 

[tablet123]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?

The 7 Churches in Revelation are a prophesy of how the Church age will go in major influence among the people.

Which the 1st Church was doing good because it was fresh.

But they were not helping the poor and needy like when the Church first started.

Then the Roman Catholic Church the synagogue of Satan.

Because when they embraced Christianity they did not get rid of their pagan and occult ways.

And it became their foundation for interpreting scriptures.

Then the Protestant movement.

But their works were not found perfect.

Which they had to sort out the falsehood of the Catholic Church.

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

The 6th Church.

Jesus did not have a problem with this Church.

Jesus said He will deliver them from the temptation that shall come upon all the world.

Which when they say Peace and safety the nations will come together to work for peace with a system against the operation of God.

Which the hypocrites will be tempted.

So it could of not happened in the first century for there could not be the same temptation that comes upon all the world at the same time.

So this is future.

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.

The 7th Church.

And now this Church age which is going on now.

With great hypocrisy lukewarm.

Pro 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

Pro 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

Pro 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Pro 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

Loving money and material things in popular fashion.

Which can only happen at the time of technology for money is flowing like a raging river.

And they can reach out farther to make money.

Which the last generation will devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.

Which many Christians will jump on board although not to the extent the world does.

So there will be many hypocrites at this time.

Mat 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mat 24:50 The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,
Mat 24:51 And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

But the Church cannot fall away.

And the Church is not in the middle of backsliding.

And the hypocrites do not belong to the Church.

So their hypocrisy cannot do damage to the Church because they do not belong to the Church.

The only people that can belong to the Church is people that are led by the Spirit being Christlike not hypocritical.

So the Church is without fault, and without corruption.

2Th 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2Th 2:2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

2Th 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

2Th 2:4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

Dan 8:23 And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.

Dan 8:24 And his power shall be mighty, but not by his own power: and he shall destroy wonderfully, and shall prosper, and practise, and shall destroy the mighty and the holy people.

This falling away is not the Church.

But it is the condition of the world in response to the Gospel.

Which they stopped the preaching of the Gospel and in a personal God on a world wide level all nations governments in cooperation.

And incorporating a system that is contrary to the operation of God.

Which causes the falling away of the world because they stopped the truth.

Which causes the transgressors to come to the full the peak of their evilness.

Which causes the man of sin, a king of fierce countenance to rule over them deceiving them.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

The gates of hell cannot not prevail against the Church.

So how can it fall away.

 

[Dino246]

I was just being honest.
I suppose it's one of those things where you have to be there.
My last pastor let me preach at least once a month until I preached on false churches spreading their P&W albums. And yes I named names. After that, never again, because they were using much of their "stuff".
You will know them by their fruit.

Your last pastor let you preach. And that obligates your current pastor how, exactly?

If you have an issue with your pastor, speak directly to her. Don’t whine on a public forum.

 

[GWH]

I was just being honest.
I suppose it's one of those things where you have to be there.
My last pastor let me preach at least once a month until I preached on false churches spreading their P&W albums. And yes I named names. After that, never again, because they were using much of their "stuff".
You will know them by their fruit.

You were being honest to a fault and also judgmental rather than edifying (Matt. 7:1-5), and maybe Phil. 1:15-18 applied.

Consider this advice from Paul: 1Tim. 5:1, 2Tim. 2:24-25, Eph. 4:15, Rom. 12:18, 14:1, 10, 19, 22, 15:1, 5, 7, etc.

BTW, I happen to prefer the old hymns in which each verse teaches biblical doctrine
more than the mindless repetition found in much current P&W songs,
but bad taste may not be a sin.
HAND!

 

[Edify]

Your last pastor let you preach. And that obligates your current pastor how, exactly?

If you have an issue with your pastor, speak directly to her. Don’t whine on a public forum.

I already have about 5 months ago. She said she would pray about it... 5 months ago.
Instant judging about instant judging... how ironic.

 

[Edify]

You were being honest to a fault and also judgmental rather than edifying (Matt. 7:1-5), and maybe Phil. 1:15-18 applied.

Consider this advice from Paul: 1Tim. 5:1, 2Tim. 2:24-25, Eph. 4:15, Rom. 12:18, 14:1, 10, 19, 22, 15:1, 5, 7, etc.

BTW, I happen to prefer the old hymns in which each verse teaches biblical doctrine
more than the mindless repetition found in much current P&W songs,
but bad taste may not be a sin.
HAND!

I see..... I see why members don't post due to instant judging.
You don't even know me or my church & yet you have this to say?
It might be better to quit this site due to the instant judgment. In here it's worse than it is out there.
I was just wanting to know if anyone else saw this in the church. Sheesh!

 

[Edify]

What praise & worship albums do you think are not of God?

The usual, Bethel, Hillsong, etc. Any church full of false doctrine their ministries will have the same fruit..... and spirits.

 

[Edify]

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere.

Back to this. Has anyone else seen/experienced this? Is it happening in your area? If it is, I'd like to know.

 

[Dino246]

I already have about 5 months ago. She said she would pray about it... 5 months ago.
Instant judging about instant judging... how ironic.

Judging? Really?

No. I’m not judging you; I’m giving feedback. I would give the same feedback in person if someone presented a similar issue. You need to deal with the pastor in person, privately, period.


Or leave that congregation.

 

[Edify]

Judging? Really?

No. I’m not judging you; I’m giving feedback. I would give the same feedback in person if someone presented a similar issue. You need to deal with the pastor in person, privately, period.


Or leave that congregation.

That's all in my first post. I'm looking for another church right now.
I am asking everyone if they are noticing the same things in their area.

 

[ResidentAlien]

Back to this. Has anyone else seen/experienced this? Is it happening in your area? If it is, I'd like to know.

When you say the moving of the Spirit is in decline, how has that manifested to you? What would be different if the Spirit was moving compared to how things are now?

 

[Karlon]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

welcome to the millions who are without a solid Christian preaching-teaching church! a Christian always, from the beginning, knows if he or she is backsliding by way of the Holy Spirit's nudging & promptings. the northeast is definitely in spiritual declination. my wife & i have not regularly attended church since about 2020. obviously, poor preaching is the reason. for a period of 8 years, i ride so many churches in many areas & its all blah. we listen to & watch tv pastors on sunday. Rogers, Uceff, Hibbs, Jeremiah, Jeffress, C. Stanley & a few others. women aren't suppose to be pastors. Titus ch.1, 1st Timothy, chapters 2 & 3 & Corinthians ch. 14 teach this. imagine all the people assenting with you who go to church nearly every sunday just to be there & are faking worshipping! i attended too many churches being unhappy, feeling untaught. i can do better on my own at home. yes, discerning is highly important. got to pay big attention to the pastor to make your best choices.

 

[Blade]

Most of us are aware of the Falling Away the church is going through. It has been going on for at least half a century now.
But.... do we see that the true church is in the middle of backsliding also?
Just last night I prayed before bed & realized (convicted) that at the begnning of my prayer I was going through the motions.
God had revealed to me in about mid 2025 during church prayer time something about His grace & it lifted me up spiritually. My life was better & I was happy for the first time in a while.
Last night I had realized (convicted) that feeling was no longer there. So I stopped my regular prayer & asked the Lord about it. Needless to say, I found myself needing to confess my sin & repent. I still am not where I was, but I'm better.
Another thing I've noticed: because we are in the Falling Away, it's easier to backslide, because the church has spiritually declined. As christians, we must press on harder or we will be left behind. I'm not saying that to scare anybody, it's just a fact. I'm concerned about those no longer going to church because they may be backsliding without even knowing it. I get it, I'm now looking for a church myself because my pastor stumbles thru her sermons & isn't prepared. Neither does she respect me as a minister to let me preach every now & then. In the past 3-4 years, nothing, not even when she's on vacation or sick.

Another thing Ive noticed: It seems to me that the moving of the Spirit has declined overall everywhere. There's not much in the gifts being exercised by the church or anyone caring about it. Maybe that's just me, but in every church I've visited, I don't discern much. Not much worship in the singing, neither much prayer or no one going up for prayer unless there's a medical emergency. Yes, there's some still faking it for we know them by their fruit.

Does anyone else see what I see, or am I alone?

Thanks.. feelings.. nothing more then feelings..trying to.. oops. We walk by faith feelings are up and down all over the place. We walk in the spirit. I disagree we are not in some "falling away". One could also say were about to "depart" . I know a famous Preacher said "if you don't go to Church I wonder if your even saved". That sounds truthful uh but its not. Its not written God never said it nor hinted at it. Not going to Church does not mean you left God and you just can't help "falling away" now. Pray still? Yes.. give help the poor? As much as you can. Read the word study? Yes every day. On and on. Is living in some 3rd world Nation where Christ is banned so .. then its ok if you don't go to Church?

So Christianity is growing rapidly! In others, Christianity is declining at a concerning rate yet globally, the overall number of Christians has increased! Across every major denomination, more people are members of churches around the world than ever before. This is amazing news! However, that news must be tempered by the knowledge that the growth of Christianity has not kept up with the pace of global population growth. In other words, despite more people professing belief and church membership, Christianity now represents a smaller share of the world's population than ever recorded.

So a falling away? I don't see it. I don't hear it from the Spirit of GOD... I do hear it from some Christians who believe a verse a word means falling away vs depart We walk by faith. I watched this preacher somewhere in the south. He said his town was so small there was not traffic light in the whole town. But he had a dream.. everything was being shaken.. everything was moving it was so scary of everyone but this one house was moving like everything else but the older man just sitting in the chair on the porch huge smile just having a great time not shaken at all. <---that is us.

Heard some years ago talking about end times and had dreams where believers were falling down not getting up but other believers that were standing would stop...help them. God is not being handed His hat here. What is written will happen but were still here for a reason and its not to fall away...greater is He that is in us then he thats in the world. We have all power all authority over the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt us. How we thing how we talk...talk faith...talk your Fathers word!