Compromise

Psalm 119:1-3 "Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths."

Compromise: a change that makes something worse and that is not done for a good reason

I had a dream last night that brought the truth of Psalm 119:1-3 home again. I have watched as people I love dearly have compromised with sin. They have compromised in "small" things, justifying their choices as ok because it's a little thing. Sadly, those little things added up and now many of them are not walking with the Lord at all. Or they are attending churches that encourage sinful lifestyles and they are so deluded by the enemy that they have bought into the lies that they once would have been opposed to. 

In my dream I saw a friend who is in just that condition. This friend was standing in a position of spiritual leadership and authority. I knew the moment I saw this individual that they had not repented but were still living in sin.  The heartbreaking reality was that they were now leading others to compromise with evil and leading thousands into lives of sin. 

Mark 9:42 “But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck."

We are accountable for our actions and words. Psalm 119:1-2 promises us joy if we live in integrity and don't compromise with sin. Mark 9:24 promises punishment if we choose to live lives of compromise because our sinful choices may lead someone else into sin. 

Hebrews 11:25 (KJV) "Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."  

Here we see that sin is pleasant for a season. The enemy makes sin inviting and enjoyable at first. However, once he has us hooked we begin the process of loosing our joy and the pleasure quickly fades. Anyone steeped in sin, who is honest, would tell us that it is no longer pleasant. They feel trapped with not way out. 

The key to avoiding this sin trap is to follow the wise counsel of the Psalmist. 

1.  We must be people of integrity. 

      

      Integrity: the quality of being    

      honest and fair; the state of 

      being complete or whole [holy]

      1 Peter 1:16 For the Scriptures  

      say, “You must be holy because I 

      am holy.”  

2.   We must follow the instructions 

      of the Lord. 

     1 Samuel 15:22b "Obedience is 

     better than sacrifice, and 

     submission is better than offering 

     the fat of rams."

3.   We must obey his laws. 

      Psalm 1:2 "But they delight in 

      the law of the Lord, meditating     

      on it day and night."

4.  We must search for him with all 

     their hearts. 

     Jeremiah 29:13 "If you look for 

     me wholeheartedly, you will find 

     me."

4.  We cannot compromise with evil. 

     Ephesians 4:27 (NIV) "and do not 

     give the devil a foothold."

5.  We must walk only in his paths. 

     Matthew 7:14 (NIV) "But small is  

     the gate and narrow the road that 

     leads to life, and only a few find 

     it."

Let us not growing tired in the battle against sin. We cannot afford to compromise even in the smallest area. Galatians 6:9 "So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up."