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“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways:..”
Proverbs 14:14

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In 1284, while the town of Hamelin was suffering from a rat infestation, a man dressed in pied (having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly) clothing appeared, claiming to be a rat-catcher. He promised the mayor a solution for their problem with the rats. The mayor in turn promised to pay him for the removal of the rats. The man accepted, and played a musical pipe to lure the rats with a song into the river , where all but one drowned. Despite his success, the mayor reneged on his promise and refused to pay the rat-catcher the full amount of money. The man left the town angrily, but vowed to return some time later, seeking revenge. While the inhabitants were in church, he played his pipe yet again, dressed in green, like a hunter, this time attracting the children of Hamelin. One hundred and thirty boys and girls followed him out of the town, where they were lured into a cave and never seen again. Another version relates that the Pied Piper led the children into following him to the top of Koppelberg Hill, where he took them to a beautiful land and had his wicked way

Depending on the version, at most three children remained behind. One of the children was lame and could not follow quickly enough , the second was deaf and followed the other children out of curiosity but could only go so far , and the last was blind and unable to see where he was going . These three informed the villagers of what had happened when they came out of church.

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The Pied Piper reminds me of Satan. If he plays the right music or says the right things that appeal to our flesh, he lures and helps us backslide from God and then has his way with us. 1 John 2:15-16 But the bible says we can't blame God or Satan because “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (NLT) James 1:14-15. The Message Bible says it like this, “Don't let anyone under pressure to give in to evil say, “God is trying to trip me up.” God is impervious to evil, and puts evil in no one's way. The temptation to give in to evil comes from us and only us. We have no one to blame but the leering, seducing flare-up of our own lust. Lust gets pregnant, and has a baby: sin! Sin grows up to adulthood, and becomes a real killer.”

Wikipedia says, “Backsliding, also known as falling away, is a term used within Christianity to describe a process by which an individual who has converted to Christianity reverts to pre-conversion habits and/or lapses or falls into sin, when a person turns from God to pursue their own desire.”

It is a process that begins with an inward yearning to fulfill and satisfy your own fleshly desires and when not checked, it enters your heart. Your own ways become more important than God's. Proverbs 14:14 You don't just wake up and find yourself in a backslidden state. It is a carefully laid out plan by old sleuth foot Satan himself. He studies you and knows what it will take to help you destroy yourself. He plays your song, the one he knows you cannot resist. His plan is to steal, kill, and destroy or hinder the work God has begun in you. Philippians 1:6.

So what's your song? We all have one. Don't be deceived and think you can't possibly fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 Nor look at someone else with a judgmental heart in the things they may have fallen in, for it can be you next. Galatians 6:1 We none can brag. Galatians 6:3 We are all kept by the power of God through faith. 1 Peter 1:5 Instead, check your desires and see where they are not pleasing to God Colossians 1:10. This is not a religion nor are we Pharisees trying to keep every law. This is a relationship and when our desires and ways please God, He responds with hearing and answering our every prayer. 1 John 3:22. Is there any desire worth fulfilling to lose that? Isaiah 59:2

Today stand strong and resist the devil and he will flee. James 4:7 Then we can be like the ones in the story who couldn't follow the music.

1. Be lame and slow to run to evil. Proverbs 1:15-18 . “The Lord hate that deviseth wicked imaginations and feet that be swift in running to mischief.” Proverbs 6:16, Proverbs 6:18,
2. Be deaf to the things not of God and don't let your curiosity get the best of you when you see others enjoying it. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
3. And finally be blind to those things and people Satan use to play your song. Remember you once was blind but now you can see and if anyone should do the leading it should be you. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.. If not you wi1l fall with them, for how can the blind lead the blind and not fall in the same pit?. Matthew 15:14.

Like those that couldn't follow, when we stand strong we can then go to God and tell him about those who fell, pray for them, and restore them. Galatians 6:1 The bible says our prayers will give them life. 1 John 5:16, James 5:20

God says, " (insert your name) _______________ I can see you slipping away in the things you now enjoy so much but when you were in trouble you turned from to get my help. I was there in the trouble and I AM still here. Psalm 139:8-10 Harden not your heart today and turn back, I'm still here. Jeremiah 3:14

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