Jeremiah 7:24 reads, “But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.”
What does it mean to walk backward? It means to retrogress. For instance, when your marriage is deteriorating, or you are backsliding as a Christian, or you are becoming poorer, or your character is getting worse; you may be walking backward. Israel “went backward, and not forward.”
What causes this? Four reasons are given in this verse.
1. Ignorance of the Word of God – “They hearkened not.” They refused to listen to messages, sermons or read God’s word.
2. Pride – “Nor inclined their ear.” It takes humility to obey the Word of God. When you think you are wiser, you cannot obey the Word.
3. A corrupt mind. The mind of an unsaved man is corrupt, and when we rely on this mind for “counsel” instead of the Word, we mislead ourselves.
4. Vision – “Imagination” means to form a mental picture. Vision is a mental picture of your future. The plan of most unbelievers is to make money, but the plan of a Christian is to serve God.
The result of this attitude is “walking backward.” Do you want to see yourself progressing in all areas; spirit, soul, and body? Then humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and He will lift you up!
Kakra Baiden
