1) The conscience is awakened, but minds are not changed, therefore when guilt passes, backsliders cease to be religious. Like the dog returning to their vomit: Eager for heaven because they fear the torments of hell; when the sense of hell cools, so does the desire for heaven.

2) Some people are slaves to fears that overpower them, and the fear of men brings a snare: Thinking to the self, they say, “It is good to be wise, but not run the risk of losing all, or bringing on unnecessary trouble,” so they fall in with the world again.

3) For others there is a stigma that surrounds religion so it is a stumbling block: These people think they are high and mighty, better than churchmen, religion is considered low and common, so they return to their former, worldly ways.

4) Yet another group of individuals does not like to think of guilt and fear, or the possibility of future misery: Once rid of their awakening about the fear and wrath of God, they gladly harden their hearts and choose ways to harden them more and more.

~~Paraphrased from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress

“Before I was humbled, I was like a stone lying

in deep mud, but He that is mighty came and,

in His mercy, raised me aloft.”