To be held in a condition of perpetual backsliding is not a good condition to be in.
There are two reasons stated in Jeremiah 8:5. It is most likely that these conditions apply to not only ancient Jerusalem and its inhabitants. They likely apply to the people of America and people of the world today.
It is not that people are not aware of their Creator.
The heavens declare the glory of God and the Earth showeth forth His handiwork. It says in Romans 1:17 – 21 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”
The first reason is that they hold fast to deceit. It may be that they have been brow beaten by parents, neighbors, or teachers from one source or another. They do not want to lose face by being different. It may be that they have been awed by pseudo intellectualism. It may be that they like living in sin – it is their comfort zone, it is seemingly more profitable, all their friends do it,… Part of deceit is that this error has been hurled at them to their present hurt and eternal condemnation but they would rather not hear about this part. Besides, such fraudulent living may seem exciting.
The second reason is that they refuse to return. This is a willful act of rebellion against the Eternal Living God. Perhaps they have been caught up in an approval of this life style because of a democratic majority vote. They do not want to be on the wrong side of an issue from their peers. In all phases of our lives, we are in subjection to another. As children we are in subjection to our parents. As adults we are in subjection to our government, our jobs, our families needs, and many times the organizations we join. As aged people, in our weaknesses we come into subjection to our children as we become dependents of either them or a rest home which looks to them for advice. But in the years of our strength, we obstinately and foolishly become “independent” and “rebellious” to our hurt. With this attitude we may also turn against our Creator God and his care for us.
Like it or not, responsibility says that we remain subject to the will of our Creator in all phases of life. Refusal to do so is to our own hurt. But such attitude is catching. We refuse to the hurt of our community and our country, also. God has been known to chasten any group of people who are so destructive in their ways of living. They are this way to their own hurt and to the hurt of others. They must eventually be restrained.
On a personal basis, you are just as responsible for your actions as any one else. Will you be mature and enter into life, or will you live as one dead?