UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

Rom 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 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.

           Compromise is part of the give and take of daily life. Husbands and wives compromise on which restaurant to visit but both are still able to enjoy a good meal. No deep seated values have been damaged and harmony is maintained. That is what we would call a healthy compromise. Each one gives up something in order to gain something.

           Unhealthy compromise is when we give up deeply held values in order to avoid ridicule or discomfort. Paul understood that maintaining strong values required sacrifice. It often involved denying comfort to the body. It always kept in mind the holiness of God and considered the ultimate reward of such sacrifice as reasonable.

           Conformity to the world always presents a danger to the spiritual integrity of man. Resistance requires a new way of thinking. We preface each decision with the question “Would this please God?” God is always given the right  to refuse us what we want in order to maintain our spiritual strength. We listen to God. We obey God.

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

Dear Lord, I often spoil myself with luxuries. Prompt me whenever my self-pampering endangers my values and convictions. AMEN