This week I’ve been addressing areas that keep us in places where essentially we are compromising the fullness of our life in Christ. It felt fitting to end the week on discussing the cost of compromise in our lives.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment is, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind”. (Matthew 22:37) Notice that Jesus didn’t say with “some”. He emphasized that all of us is to be lived for Him.
Often I don’t feel that the enemy tries to get us to give into a life entirely of compromise. I think he tries to get us to give into compromise in small amounts. Teaching on consecration to God and not living a life of compromise is a passion of mine because I believe God loves empowering us to live holy lives. Notice that I didn’t say perfect lives, but I believe His grace allows us to live rightly and continue to mature in our walk with Him.
I think about examples in the bible where people gave in to something that at the time seemed like a small compromise, but it had eternal ramifications. Adam and Eve traded in their close walk with God for a piece of fruit. Esau traded his birthright for a bowl of soup. Demas sold out his calling as a missionary because he loved the world. Samson sold out his anointing because of a woman’s question. Judas turned Jesus over to the Pharisees for 30 pieces of silver. I think it would be foolish to say that the small areas of compromise can’t have big hindrance in our walk with God.
My husband had some great points in a sermon he shared this week. Here are a few thoughts that he shared. In order to avoid compromise;
- we need an ongoing personal revelation of Jesus
- we need to deal with internal wounds
- we need a fresh revelation of His grace
He shared a story of Winston Churchill;
Churchill: Madam, would you sleep with me for five million pounds?
Socialite: My goodness, Mr. Churchill… Well, I suppose… we would have to discuss terms, of course…
Churchill: Would you sleep with me for five pounds?
Socialite: Mr. Churchill, what kind of woman do you think I am?!
Churchill: Madam, we’ve already established what kind of woman you are. Now we are haggling about the price
The enemy is waiting to haggle prices with you. He is willing to wait and continual offer sin and compromise in times of weakness in your life. Compromise for some people is in a name, reputation, or fame. For others it is wealth and the American dream with unlimited resources. For others it is acceptance and feeling liked and valued. And for some it is convenience, pleasure, and comfort.
Whatever compromise looks like to you, the enemy will find out how to tempt you with this. If we sell out 100% to Jesus, then there is no room to negotiate with the enemy when he comes and tries to divide our heart with compromise. When we are living fully for Him, we have Christ’s power and authority in our lives. When we sell out and live in continual compromise, it costs us more than we think.