Spritual Warfare #23

There were quite a few new visitors to the site yesterday, so I just wanted to say, "Welcome." We're going through a book called Landmines In The Path Of The Believer, Avoiding The Hidden Dangers. I blog on the parts of the book that particularly struck me so it is not complete, but I try to give enough complete thoughts to make it logical for you to follow and get the best nuggets of wisdom.

Starting Chapter 6 today with The Landmine of Compromise by Charles Stanley

Compromise - An attitude that develops and grows stronger with neglect and time. First, he [Satan] gains a foothold in a person's life by tempting him or her to yield to his relentless suggestions: "Just once won't hurt. Don't you get tired of being lonely? Don't you want to be part of the group? This is the way to do it. Just relax, take it easy, and let your heart go free." Satan always has a goal to reach, and it is to draw you away from the Father's love.

Anything that tempts you to abandon what you know is right should be viewed as deadly and dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Many people fail to do this and become hooked by the subtle and evil lure of compromise, which leads to sin.

It leads to compromise and weakens our commitment to the Lord. One step taken in a wrong direction can do more damage than you will ever know.

The Truth About Compromise

If God has called you to a certain place, you need to stay put until He either moves you or makes it clear that He wants you to leave.

Never forget that there is always a small degree of truth tucked away in every one of Satan's lies. This is how he gets us to compromise our convictions and to do the very things God has told us not to do.

It is true: you can serve the Lord almost anywhere and at any time. Yet this does not necessarily mean you are fulfilling His will and purpose. He has a plan for you. You step on a powerful landmine when you decide that you will follow your own plans and not His.

If He has called you to do a certain job, stay at your post until He directs you differently. Even though the situation may be very trying, you will receive a wonderful reward for remaining obedient and not abandoning the work He has given you to do.

If you do leave, ... the sense of fulfillment will be gone because there is a distinct difference between being in the center of God's will and standing along the sidelines.

Why Do We Compromise?

We experience doubt and fear.

We want to avoid conflict. "If I say something, I'll lose my job." Instead of addressing the shift from truth to compromise, they will cower and allow things to roll along. There are times when we need to speak up, just as there are times when we need to be quiet. If you will seek God's counsel, He will show you what is correct concerning your circumstances.

We have a desire for unity. There are people who do not want to cause "waves." Instead of standing up for what they believe, they hold back and, in doing so, may compromise what God has given them to do. It always is a good thing to seek unity, especially among believers, but it is never good to do this when you end up jeopardizing what you know is right.

We have a deep need for acceptance. "Do I want to be accepted by a group of people who could love me today and not tomorrow, or by an eternal, loving, heavenly Father, Who loves me with an everlasting love?" When you make a commitment to be the person He has designed you to be, you will face some challenges. Rest assured, you won't face a single one alone.

We are overwhelmed by peer pressure. Many times, in order to be a part of a group, people will compromise their moral convictions, and the results are devastating. You never have to compromise what you know is true and right in order to be part of a group. The enemy will try and tempt you into making a quick, thoughtless decision, but God never will.

We'll stop there for today. There are several more points to make as to why we compromise, which we'll cover tomorrow. Which one(s) do you struggle with? For me, it is probably the avoidance of conflict and the unity one, which seem to overlap. At home, I can be the person God created me to be, freely giving my opinion, making people laugh, or being sarcastic or dry in my humor. I don't have to worry about offending anyone. I'm accepted because they know my heart. Grace is freely given here as is the charitable assumption, and there is peace and harmony in our home. I don't compromise who I am here and there is much freedom in that.