2nd Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
One of the things all Christians should remember is where and what God saved us from, the sins that once had us shackled to satan, and the dire condition Christ met us in and delivered us from, through His Power. These experiences should never be lost sight of, but should rather be kept in view for two main reasons: (1) As beacons of warning so that we do not slip back into the old lifestyle. And (2) As reference points from which our gratitude and praise to God should continually ascend. In the passage above, the apostle warns us of the snare of gradually falling back into the same old habits by becoming careless in our relationship with God, and by neglecting the study of His word and the hour of prayer which are the lifelines of the soul.
No Christian, regardless of how much scriptural knowledge and Bible verses he or she may know, can exist without consistent study and prayer, for these are the channels through which The Holy Spirit works, hence the reason why the enemy of souls is hell-bent on presenting as many distractions to our minds as he can, to draw our focus away from Christ, and all that is really important for our eternal well-being. The passage makes a serious statement when it says that it it was better for us not to have known the way of salvation, rather than for us to have known it, and then to have returned to the old ways of sin. The analogy given, of a dog returning to eat its own vomit, may disturb our minds and our stomachs, but it is a fitting representation of what takes place when a Christian who has tasted of the Living and the written word, and yet has turned away to go back to the old sinful lifestyle that was previously indulged, or to drink again at the many polluted cisterns of this world.
This is what took place with the tribe of Ephraim, which was cleansed by God, who had a good knowledge of Him, His work, and His requirements, and yet the men of that tribe insisted on clinging to their old idolatrous ways, and for this reason, the name of the tribe of Ephraim sinks into oblivion, for when the chips are tallied in the last book of the Bible, the tribe of Ephraim is not even mentioned. Their demise took place over an extended period of time, during which their relationship with God never became constant, but was held in an on and off mode, a system that is never productive of much good. Let's read:
Hosea 7:1 When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered"... for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without. 8 Ephraim, he hath mixed himself among the people; Ephraim is a cake not turned. 9 Strangers have devoured his strength, and he knoweth it not"..... 10 "And they do not return to the Lord their God, nor seek him for all this. 11 Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart: they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. 13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me. 15 Though I have bound and strengthened their arms, yet do they imagine mischief against me.
In our own personal experiences, we need to ever keep in mind that Jesus did not only save us from sin, and a way of lawless life that was counterproductive, He also saved us from the fires of hell that are to be kindled for all who are aligned with satan in one form or another. The old television shows, the partying, the vices, the entertainment which had previously absorbed all of our time, interest, and energies, all these, together with the other errors that were harbored, should be resolutely put away, through the only workable method given in the scriptures. Spending quality time with God in prayer and in the study of His word, together with proactive service for the eternal and temporal good of others, is the only way that a deep and abiding relationship with God can be maintained.
Furthermore, He has given us a new lease on a life that can be productive of very much good, both now and in the great hereafter. Thus it is necessary for us to often reflect on where God has brought us from, for if we are not mindful of were we came from, we will not be mindful of where we are going. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which cautions us not to turn back to the old ways, but rather encourages us to keep pressing on in the straight and narrow path that leads to life eternal. Let's read:
Hebrews 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your hearts".... 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts"....
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His word. "Good night" and God bless!