NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY JULY 09, 2021.

SUBJECT : NEVER COMPROMISE YOUR FAITH!

Memory verse: "For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David." (First Kings 11 vs 4.)

READ: Daniel 1 vs 8 - 15:

1:8: But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

1:9: Now God had brought Daniel into favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

1:10; And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are of your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”

1:11: So Daniel said to steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,

1:12: “Prove test your servants for ten days; and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.

1:13: Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat of the portion of the king's delicacies: and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.

1:14: So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.

1:15: And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies.

INTIMATION:

Compromise can be defined as a blending of the qualities of two different things or a concession of principles. Compromise is an important element in getting along with others, but we should never compromise the truth of God’s Word and our faith in Him.. If we feel we have to change our Christian beliefs to match those of our companions, we are on a dangerous ground. Cooperate with people as much as you can, but avoid any alliance, partnership, or participation that could lead to immoral practices. Sometimes people urge believers to compromise and give only partial obedience to God’s commands. But commitment and obedience to God cannot be negotiated. When it comes to obeying God, half measures won’t do.

We also are living in times of widespread sin and sexual immorality. It is popular to be open-minded toward many types of sin, calling them personal choices or alternative lifestyles. But when believers begin to tolerate sin in their lives, it is lowering the standards and compromising their faith and effective witnessing for Christ. Remember that God’s approval is infinitely more important than the world’s. Use God’s Word, not what people around you are willing to accept, to set the standards for what is right or wrong. When we want to take part in an activity that we know is wrong, we may make excuses to justify our behavior, saying that it isn’t as bad as it seems or that it won’t hurt your faith. Christ has strong words for those who look for excuses to sin.

Our memory verse relates to King Solomon, Israelite’s King who so much compromised his faith in God and allowed pagan worship resulting from pressures from his numerous foreign wives. For all his wisdom, Solomon had some weak spots. He could not say no to compromise or lustful desires. Whether he married to strengthen political alliances or to gain personal pleasure, these foreign wives led him into idolatry. You may have strong faith, but you also have areas of weakness—and that is where temptation usually strikes. Strengthen and protect yourself where you are weak because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Solomon handled great pressures in running the government, but could not handle the pressure from his wives who wanted him to worship their gods. If Solomon, the wisest man, could fall, you can also. 

In marriage and close relationships, it is difficult to resist pressure to compromise. Our love leads us to identify with the desires of those we care about. Faced with such pressure, Solomon at first resisted it, maintaining pure faith. Then he tolerated a more widespread practice of idolatry. Finally he became involved in idolatrous worship, rationalizing away the potential danger to himself and to his kingdom. Because we want to please and identify with our loved ones, God asks us not to marry those who do not share our commitment to Him.

When we ignore God’s clear statements of right and wrong and make decisions based on the preferences of our audience, we fall into compromise and lawlessness. God promises to honor those who do right, not those who make everyone happy. When you have a difficult decision to make, don’t discount the effects of peer pressure. Realize beforehand that the right decision could have unpleasant consequences: social rejection, career derailment, public ridicule. Resolve to stand for what is right no matter what other people pressure you to do.

Daniel and his friends—Shadrach,  Meshach, and Abednego—were astute examples of godly people who refused to compromise their faith. The Babylonians were trying to change; (1)  their thinking by giving them a Babylonian education, (2) their loyalty by changing their names, (3) their lifestyle by changing their diet (see Daniel 1 vs 1 - 20). Without compromising, Daniel found a way to live by God’s standards in a culture that did not honor God, wisely choosing to negotiate rather than to rebel, Daniel suggested an experimental 10-day diet of vegetables and water instead of the royal foods and wine the king offered. Without compromising, Daniel quickly thought of a practical, creative solution that saved his life and the lives of his companions. As God’s people, we may adjust to our culture as long as we do not compromise God’s laws.

When we share our message across cultural and economic boundaries, we must be sure that the requirements for faith we set up are God’s, not people’s. In trying to find a common ground with those to whom we witness, we must be careful not to fall into the quicksand of compromise. When reaching out to others, we must be sure that our own footing is safe and secure. Be careful not to become so much like non-Christians that no one can tell who you are or what you believe. Influence them for Christ—don’t allow them to influence you for sin.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of uncompromising faith in You, that I may be found worthy of Your crown of glory, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!