After last night's-searching for the right word-fiasco (not the right one, but strong enough), I open my email this morning and scan through it, landing on this devotion from Charles Stanley. How easy it is to compromise our values for the sake of peace, how many times we have found ourselves in that very place, and how we have wrestled with the idea of how to live our life according to the truth of God's Word AND peaceably with all men??? It becomes increasingly apparent that just isn't possible. Our values are going to be offensive to others, and although we do seek to let them live their lives with just a covering of prayer from us, they often force their values on us. Isn't that the way it is in our world? Christians are accused of trying to force our belief on everyone, but in reality it is the world forcing theirs on us while trying to silent us. The devotion encouraged and reminded me to to "walk in his [God's] ways" (Psalm 119:3b) and to "seek him with the whole heart." (Psalm 119:2b)
November 5, 2008
The Landmine of CompromisePsalm 119:1-8
Compromise injures a believer's spiritual life as surely as landmines wreak havoc upon the body. Our testimony is damaged or destroyed when we bend God's principles.
For example, suppose a young Christian woman meets an attractive man who doesn't share her beliefs. For years, she has known Paul's caution, "Do not be bound together with unbelievers" and recognizes the apostle's intention to protect Christians from worldly influences (2 Cor. 6:14). But she rationalizes that one date won't hurt her. Actually, she is probably right. However, a first date leads to a second and third and then to a relationship. He offers marriage, she accepts, and the bent principle becomes a broken rule.
To navigate a spiritual minefield, we must look a few steps ahead for possible danger. Even choices that seem trivial may have far-reaching consequences. But the Lord equips us with a "divine GPS" (God's Positioning System): the Holy Spirit sounds an alarm in our spirit if we veer into dangerous territory.
For us to hear these warnings, our heart must be tuned to the Holy Spirit's wavelength through Scripture study. Relying on our own understanding can lead to trouble. But those who trust the Lord and apply His principles will find straight paths through potentially explosive situations (Prov. 3:5-6).
The young woman in the above example knew Scripture and felt the Spirit's cautionary nudge, but she ignored it. For safe travel through this dangerous world, decide to obey His initial warning so you can steer clear of compromise.
In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=dhKHIXPKIuE&b=2336199&content_id={0C8662C3-B7F0-48C6-8D09-9003D70CEDCB}¬oc=1
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