This is an expression used frequently in the Old Testament to describe those who forsook their loyalty to God and began to serve Satan again.
No fewer than thirteen times, the prophet Jeremiah rebuked ancient Israel for her backsliding ways (Jer. 2:19; 3:6; cf. Hos. 4:16 KJV; 11:7). It is useless to argue, as Calvinists do, that backsliding is inconsequential in terms of one's eternal salvation. Apostasy results in "destruction" (2 Pet. 2:2).
