"Compromise"
by bryan woods
Choice-Conformed or Transformed:
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom_12:2).
When an individual or a congregation has the attitude of compromise in regard to spiritual values and truths, dark days are ahead. All who strive to be Christians feel a certain amount
of pressure from the world. Through the strength that Christ gives, we can overcome the world and its temptations.
A man starting a fish business put out his sign that read, "Fresh Fish For Sale Today" and invited all to visit his place of business on opening day. Many came and congratulated him on
his new business, but one suggested that he change his sign. "Why the 'Today'? It is today." So he removed the "Today".
Someone else said, "Why, 'For Sale'? Everybody knows you have fish for sale-or else why the store?" The words "For Sale" came off the sign.
Another said, "Why the word 'Fresh'? You are a man of integrity, that guarantees your fish to be fresh." "Fresh" came off the sign.
Only one word was left, "Fish" and one complained about it. "I smelled your fish two blocks away."
The individual or congregation that tries to satisfy everybody ends up by pleasing nobody. If we start compromising, we will end up serving the devil. The man should have put up his
sign and then stood by it. This is what we are to do in life. Accept God's will for our lives and stand on His promises.
The Uncertain Soldier:
Paul Harvey tells the story of the uncertain soldier in our Civil War who, figuring to play it safe, dressed himself in a blue coat and gray pants and tiptoed out onto the field of battle. He
got shot from both directions!
The Bible is full of examples of individuals who compromised in one form or another and their ensuing losses.
*Lot who separated from Abram and moved as far as Sodom (Gen_13:12-13; Gen. 19:1-29);
*Samson who compromised with Delilah (Jdg_16:1-2); and Solomon who loved many foreign women (1Ki_11:1-4) are but a few examples.
What about times when we are tempted to compromise our faith or beliefs? Will we stay strong or try and wear the blue and gray? Think about it!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might" (Eph_6:10).
Don't Negotiate With Satan:
A hunter raised his rifle and took careful aim at a large bear. When about to pull the trigger, the bear spoke in a soft soothing voice, "Isn't it better to talk than to shoot? What do you
want? Let's negotiate the matter." Lowering his rifle, the hunter replied, "I want a fur coat." "Good," said the bear, "that is a negotiable question. I only want a full stomach, so let us
negotiate a compromise."
They sat down to negotiate and after a time the bear walked away alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach, and the hunter had his fur coat!
Satan says to you, "Let us negotiate." But there are some things that cannot be negotiable.
We cannot compromise the church with the world.
Christ and His church deserve our very best and utmost loyalty.
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