"All Truth is God's Truth," Says the DevilJohn Piper
The subject of positive relationships is near to my heart because God has provided me with such good friends. These are the people who challenge me to do more for the Lord. My friends love me, but they certainly aren’t content to let me stay as I am! If they spot a sin in my life or see something I could do better, they say so.
Paul gave relationships a high priority too. The apostle surrounded himself with people who could help him achieve two things: fulfillment of his God-given mission and conformity to Christlikeness. While Paul was pouring himself into the lives of others, he was being built up and strengthened by his fellow believers. That, in brief, is the Lord’s plan for every one of His children.
What about you? Do you have certain relationships that motivate you to pursue God more fervently? It does matter whom we allow to influence our lives. The Father equips your brothers and sisters to invest in you—to encourage you, to pray for you, and to prod you toward a more complete faith—so that you are prepared to devote yourself to serving others. Good relationships with people who build each other up can help believers fulfill God’s plan for their lives.
The finest relationships are between people who want to see each other succeed in faith and therefore “spur one another on toward love and good deeds†(Heb. 10:24, niv). In other words, our best friends are those who love us as we are but never cease to challenge us to be better for the Lord.
Your Life Is Your Time
Sometimes the slogan “All truth is God’s truth†is used to justify dealing in any sphere of knowledge as an act of worship or stewardship. The impression is given that just knowing God’s truth and recognizing it as such is a good thing, even a worthy end. But the problem with this is that the devil does it.
“If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.†(1 Corinthians 8:2-3). Which I take to mean that until we know in such a way that we love God more because of it, we do not yet know as we ought to know.
Alongside “All truth is God’s truth,†we need to say, “All truth exists to display more of God and awaken more love for God.†This means that knowing truth and knowing it as God’s truth is not a virtue until it awakens desire and delight in us for the God of truth. And that desire and delight are not complete until they give rise to words or actions that display the worth of God. That is, we exist to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31), and merely knowing a truth to be God’s truth does not glorify him any more than the devil does.
All truth exists to make God known and loved and shown. If it does not have those three effects it is not known rightly and should not be celebrated as a virtue.
I give thanks that unbelievers see God’s truths in the natural world in a limited way. They know many scientific and cultural facts. But they do not feel desire for God or delight in God because of them. So these facts are misused. This is not a virtue.
I also give thanks that that believers may learn many of God’s truths from unbelievers and see them rightly and thus desire God more and delight in God more because of those truths, so that unbelievers become, unwittingly, the means of our worship.
Thus an unbeliever’s knowing God’s truth is not ultimately a virtue—that is, not a knowing that accords with God’s purpose for knowing—nevertheless that knowing may be a usefulknowing for the sake of what God makes of it for his self-revealing and self-exalting purposes in the world, contrary to all the expectations of the unbeliever whose knowing God uses.
It is fitting, therefore, for God’s sake—for love’s sake—that believers learn what we can from unbelievers who see many things that we may miss, but do not see the one thing needful.
"As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30 (NIV)
In the beginning of my marriage, I believed my husband Barry was the luckiest man alive. After all, he had married me, a woman who was going to introduce him to one of the principle joys of life, a live Christmas tree.
In my mind, nothing could be more perfect than a live Christmas tree — certainly not the artificial ones he had experienced as a child!
Each year we went to the Christmas tree lot to search for a perfectly-shaped, fragrant live tree. We’d haul it home, put it in the Christmas tree holder filled with water and decorate our lovely evergreen, singing "O Tannenbaum" all the while. Okay, so maybe I’m embellishing a little, but suffice it to say having a live Christmas tree thrilled the HGTV corner of my heart.
There was one thing that made me very unhappy, however. Every Christmas, and I mean every Christmas, my darling husband was sick. The first Christmas, I attended to him with newlywed sweetness. The second Christmas, I tolerated him and brought him soup.
By the third Christmas of holiday sickness, I was just plain annoyed. What was wrong with the man? He was big and strapping and healthy. How could he become so weak and sickly and pitiful every year at Christmas? I began to make snide remarks under my breath like, "Maybe you’re allergic to time with my family."
Sometime in that fourth year, Barry went to the doctor after another round of illness. A specialist had Barry lay on his stomach while he poked lots and lots of tiny needles in his back. As you may have guessed by now, the results revealed that my poor husband is allergic to almost every green living thing … including Christmas trees.
Because I believed live Christmas trees to be far superior to artificial trees, every year we dragged a beautiful, green, bushy deathtrap into our living room.
Because I came to believe Barry just didn’t like the holidays much, I got snappy with him when he was sick.
Basically, because I believed the wrong things, I acted in wrong ways.
My belief about what’s perfect, like my idea of the "perfect" Christmas tree, is often off-base. Over the years, when I’ve acted on those false beliefs, I’ve damaged relationships.
When I’ve believed I have to hide my flaws to be liked, I’ve kept friends at arm's length.
When I’ve believed my kids have to behave perfectly to make me the perfect mom, I’ve left all of us feeling as if we don’t measure up.
When I’ve believed I can create a perfect facade with my stuff, my service and my competence, I’ve pursued goals that left me empty and lonely.
After years of struggling with my own perfection, I’m learning a new way. Here’s the freeing truth I’m beginning to live: Only when I give up my own view of perfection can God begin His perfecting work in me. When I embrace God’s true perfection, leaving the exhausting, destructive weight of my own perfection, I can take refuge in Him.
Amazingly, giving up my own view of perfectionism has improved not only my relationship with God, but also with others.
I’m more authentic with my friends, leading to greater closeness.
I’m more grace-filled with my kids, leading to more trust and better communication.
I’m not a live-Christmas-tree-fanatic anymore, so now Hubby and I curl up at Christmas in the glow of a plastic, pre-lit tree. It’s just perfect. We’re sniffle-free and happy.
I’m committed to choosing people over perfection. If you’ll commit to the same thing, I promise you’ll find something better than your view of "perfect."
Lord, please forgive me for pursuing my own perfection instead of finding refuge in Yours. As You faithfully forgive me, please draw me close to You. Restore my other relationships and help me to choose people over perfection. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
"For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? — the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless." Psalm 18:31-32 (ESV)
The alarm would sound any minute. It was time. Time to open my eyes, sit up and face another day. I started the inner pep talk immediately. Maybe today will be different. Things can’t get any worse. Well, maybe they can. No, God’s got this. I had this conversation in my head before my feet ever hit the floor.
Circumstances overwhelmed me and had begun to take a toll on my body as well. I knew God was with me; I’d known that since I was a child. But the perfect life had taken a wild detour, and I found myself in a very imperfect world.
The unexpected journey through divorce and losing my mom to cancer had been tough enough. Now looking ahead, my daughter’s label of "terminal disease" seemed bigger than God.
In my desperation, I didn’t just pray: I cried to the Lord. I needed more than another sermon illustration. More than a checklist of do’s and don’ts. I really needed to know that God was not just near, but that He would get me through this. But how?
My habit of reading the Psalms kicked in, and I fumbled to one of my favorites where today’s key verse can be found: "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? — the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless."
As I meditated on the verses, the phrase "who equipped me with strength" captured my attention. I found myself begging: Lord, I need the kind of strength only You can give. I need this equipping process, Jesus. Will You please help me?
I dangled my feet over the side of the bed and continued reading. The Psalmist reflected: "You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip" (Psalm 18:36, ESV).
The Holy Spirit prompted me through this reflection. That’s it! That’s what I need to remember! When I feel like giving up, I don’t have to comprehend the entire journey. I only need enough strength to take one more step.
I can take comfort in the fact that God’s plan is always bigger and better than mine.
Echoing the words of the psalmist, I whispered to God that the battle felt enormously overwhelming. I asked Him to equip me with strength only He can give (Psalm 18:39a).
Finally, I moved my dangling feet from the bedside and placed them solidly on the ground, knowing His power would carry me through whatever came my way that day.
Have you felt like giving up lately? Does the thought of seeing yourself on top of the mountain ahead seem too far-fetched to imagine? Let’s stop thinking about the vastness of the journey. Let’s recognize that when things seem out of control, God is always in control. He is with us, and giving us the strength to take one more step.
Dear God, please equip me with strength for today. I know I can’t walk this journey on my own. I need Your spirit to infuse me with energy for the next step. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
"For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to Me, and every tongue will give praise to God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God." Romans 14:11-12 (HCSB)
It was a gray and gloomy day when my ordinary routine of laundry and dishes was interrupted. With no time to spruce up, I soon found myself seated in the vice principal’s office wearing my sweatpants and my shame.
My son had gotten himself in a heap of trouble, the result of a bad choice he’d made in order to please a peer.
My son confessed, and the school issued consequences. My child seemed genuinely sorry for his behavior. The administrator was kind and compassionate. The meeting ended with both of them seeming fine. I, however, was a maternal mess. I just couldn’t shake the stigma of being the mom of a teen who broke the rules and broke my heart.
Ever since my children were little, I have formed mothering equations in my mind. A crying baby in church = a bad mom. A toddler throwing a temper tantrum in public = a bad mom. A teen who broke the rules or the law = a bad mom.
Then, whenever a child of mine misbehaved or made a bad choice, I made the worst choice of all. I scribbled on my tender mama heart yet another untrue equation, wrongly surmising that I was a failure as a mom. And over the years as my child added more wrong choices, my sorrow as a mom multiplied.
There is a family in the Bible that has always fascinated me when it comes to trying to pin the bad behavior of a child on the shoulders of a parent. That family is Adam and Eve and their sons, Cain and Abel.
Cain was the very first man born into the world. His brother Abel was the very first one to die. And how did he die? At the hands of his brother.
The book of Genesis tells us Cain tended to the crops. His kid brother was a sheepherder. A jealous drama ensued between the brothers over the fact that the Lord accepted Abel’s offering yet rejected Cain’s. As a result, Cain was mad. So, one day, he lured his unsuspecting brother out into the field and promptly murdered him.
In this biblical story we see two sons. Each with different likes and passions. Different personalities. Extremely different character qualities.
One was innocent. One committed murder. Yet both had the same parents. If you can draw the conclusion that how a child turns out is the parents’ direct responsibility, then how do you account for these two mismatched brothers? How did one grow up to be a mind-your-own-business, likeable sort, while the other became the first criminal to have his mug shot nailed to the local post office wall?
Were Adam and Eve responsible for these boys’ actions? No. Their choices were their own.
Today’s key verse tells us, "each of us will give an account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12). We each are responsible for our own behaviors. We will answer someday for what we did while on earth. Notice we are not told we will answer for others’ behavior — not even our children’s.
So when we are tempted to painfully pin on the badge of "Bad Mom of the Year" because our child makes a bad choice, let’s remember that each of us will answer for our own conduct. Sure we need to teach and model good behavior, but we cannot force our kids to obey. Our role is to pray they develop and grow a personal relationship with God. So when they give an account of their choices, they will not be ashamed.
We must know our place as a praying parent and tether our identity only to Christ.
Father, please help me to do my best to raise my child to make good choices. Help me to find my identity in Christ alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
The Wisdom of Right Relationships
Hebrews 10:23-24The subject of positive relationships is near to my heart because God has provided me with such good friends. These are the people who challenge me to do more for the Lord. My friends love me, but they certainly aren’t content to let me stay as I am! If they spot a sin in my life or see something I could do better, they say so.
Paul gave relationships a high priority too. The apostle surrounded himself with people who could help him achieve two things: fulfillment of his God-given mission and conformity to Christlikeness. While Paul was pouring himself into the lives of others, he was being built up and strengthened by his fellow believers. That, in brief, is the Lord’s plan for every one of His children.
What about you? Do you have certain relationships that motivate you to pursue God more fervently? It does matter whom we allow to influence our lives. The Father equips your brothers and sisters to invest in you—to encourage you, to pray for you, and to prod you toward a more complete faith—so that you are prepared to devote yourself to serving others. Good relationships with people who build each other up can help believers fulfill God’s plan for their lives.
The finest relationships are between people who want to see each other succeed in faith and therefore “spur one another on toward love and good deeds†(Heb. 10:24, niv). In other words, our best friends are those who love us as we are but never cease to challenge us to be better for the Lord.
Your Life Is Your Time
Our lives are governed by time. That's why we're surrounded by clocks and calendars that dictate our activities. As the minutes tick by, we wonder where the day went. When responsibilities and pressures mount, we complain, "I just don't have time to get it all done!" But the reality is that God has given us enough time to do exactly what He's planned for our lives. Perhaps the bigger issue is whether we are using our time to do our will or the Lord's.
Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it's critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.
The key to investing in eternity is following God's plan for your life, not just filling your days with activities. Jesus was allocated just thirty-three years of life on earth, but only the last three were spent in fulfilling His Messianic ministry. To us that seems like a waste of time. Yet Christ accomplished everything His Father gave Him to do. That's why on the cross He could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
Scripture compares earthly life to "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), but eternal life never ends. It's foolish to spend your life on a vapor when you can reap everlasting benefits by following God's will for your time here. Each day is an opportunity to choose.
God Accomplishes What Concerns You
David was a man who walked through trouble on a regular basis. His psalms express the struggles and disappointments he faced, yet in the end, he always turned his focus back to God. The key to his victorious attitude was his strong faith in the Lord.
David was confident in God's purpose. That's why he could say, "The Lord will accomplish what concerns me" (v. 8). The only way we can walk through trouble and not be defeated is by keeping our focus on the Lord and His purpose. He has promised to do a good work in our lives, but sometimes the only way He can complete it is in valleys of hardship.
He relied on the Lord's power. When troubles arise, we, too, can trust God to deliver us, but it may not be by escape. Sometimes He sustains us through the difficulty, walking with us every step of the way.
David believed the promises of God. Throughout these two verses, he repeatedly reminds himself what the Lord will do. We also need to have some specific promises from Scripture that will anchor us in times of trouble. The truths of the Bible are our most valuable possession when the storms of life assail us. Self-reliance or advice from others will never equal the help God's Word offers us.
God assumes responsibility for accomplishing what concerns you in times of trouble. Your job is to believe that He will fulfill His purpose, His power is adequate, and He'll keep every promise. When the trial has achieved His goal, He'll remove it. Until then, keep walking with your eyes on Him.
Watchful Sobriety
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.†(1 Peter 5:8)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.†(1 Peter 5:8)
Several words are used in Scripture to imply spiritual watchfulness, and each has a slightly different meaning. Only as we compare and combine these words do we get the full force of the Scripture exhortations to watchfulness.
One such word is the Greek word agrupneo, translated “watch.†In Mark 13:33 we read, “Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.†The word literally means to be sleepless and comes from two Greek words meaning “to chase†and “sleep.†It implies a purposeful and active state of awareness.
More commonly used is gregoreo. It is a stronger word, meaning to arouse oneself and shake off lethargy, implying activity as on the part of one who is fully awake. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith†(1 Corinthians 16:13), and “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving†(Colossians 4:2). “Watch ye, therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh†(Mark 13:35).
A third word is nepho, which literally means to abstain from drink which would produce stupor, as well as sleep, and therefore conveys the additional idea of sobriety. By combining the teaching of these three words, we are instructed not only to keep awake but to keep active and to avoid the intoxication of this world’s seductive pleasures.
In our text, we see that we are not only to be sober (nepho) and vigilant (gregoreo), but we also see the reason why. Our “adversary the devil†is a vicious opponent. He stalks us both day and night with brutal cunning. We dare not underestimate him by figuratively closing our eyes in sleep or dulling our senses with intoxicants. “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober†(1 Peter 1:13). JDM
In one of his monologues, the patriarch Job compares his search for spiritual understanding to man’s explorations for metals and precious stones. “There is a vein for the silver,†he said, “and a place for gold. . . . Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone†(vv. 1-2).
These all are easier to find than true wisdom. “It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold†(vv. 16-19).
Neither have animals discovered it. “The fierce lion passed by it. . . . it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air†(vv. 8, 21). “The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me†(v. 14).
“But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?†(v. 12). Job is driven to ask: “Where must one go to find and mine the vein of true wisdom?â€
It is certainly “not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought†(1 Corinthians 2:6). The mine of evolutionary humanism which dominates modern education and scholarship will yield only the fool’s gold of “science falsely so called†(1 Timothy 6:20).
Job found true wisdom only through God, and so must we, for only “God understandeth the way thereof . . . unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding†(Job 28:23, 28). The Lord Jesus Christ is the ever-productive mine “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge†(Colossians 2:3). HMM
Christ in You
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.†(Colossians 1:27)
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.†(Colossians 1:27)
The New Covenant includes a mystery Paul had the privilege of revealing to the Gentiles (Colossians 1:24-29). The history and prophecies of the Old Covenant contained a few hints of God’s plan for the last days, but the focus was centered on the “fulness of time†when the Messiah would come (Galatians 4:4).
Paul seemed thrilled to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ†(Ephesians 3:8) and to have the responsibility of unveiling “the grace of God which is given me to you-ward†(Ephesians 3:2). More than the obligation, Paul felt a dread judgment if he failed (1 Corinthians 9:16). It follows that we should be clear in our own declaration of this mystery.
Simply put, the mystery is “Christ in you, the hope of glory.†Obviously, that is the result of salvation. The new message is the completed work and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The promises of the prophets and the long history of Israel tend to obscure the eternal plan of God (Ephesians 3:11)—thus the detailed effort of the New Testament writers to amplify the “whosoever will†aspect of the gospel message.
“Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven†(1 Peter 1:10-12).
Now it is possible for the whole world to have a personal and eternal relationship with Jesus Christ. HMM III
Full Assurance of Understanding
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.†(Colossians 2:2)
“That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.†(Colossians 2:2)
There are two key aspects to this message. Our hearts need encouragement by “being knit together.†The result will produce a “full assurance of understanding†and an acknowledgment of the mystery of the triune Godhead.
The comforted hearts are to be “knit together.†The Greek term sumbibazo means “to force together, to compact.†Paul uses this term to illustrate the impossibility of teaching God anything. “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?†(1 Corinthians 2:16). Positively, the strength of the church body comes from being “joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth†(Ephesians 4:16). Those “joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God†(Colossians 2:19).
The result of the encouragement is wonderful: We should attain to the riches of “full assurance.†The Greek term plerophoria is only used four times: promising understanding in our text, a full assurance of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5) and of hope (Hebrews 6:11), and the full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:22).
The Greek synonym plerophoreo identifies “sure belief†among us (Luke 1:1), being “fully persuaded†of God’s promises (Romans 4:21). We should be “fully persuaded†in our own mind (Romans 14:5) while making “full proof†of our ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). All of this makes our testimony “fully known†in the world (2 Timothy 4:17). Perhaps the goal of “full assurance†is that we “may speak boldly, as [we] ought to speak†(Ephesians 6:20). HMM III
Treasures of Wisdom
and Knowledge
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.†(Colossians 2:3)
and Knowledge
“In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.†(Colossians 2:3)
Paul had just promised the twice-born that they would be endowed with the “riches of the full assurance of understanding†that would enable them to possess an acknowledgment of the triune Godhead. The ability to understand and the profound awareness of the Trinity is possible because all “the treasures of wisdom and knowledge†are in Christ—who is in us!
In Colossians 1:9, Paul prays that they “might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,†a sufficient awareness of information that will enable them to have “understanding in all things†(2 Timothy 2:7). Jesus explained to His apostles that His parables were devices to reveal to them “the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand†(Luke 8:10).
This wisdom and knowledge is the “treasure†of the Lord Jesus, not of the world (1 Corinthians 1:17-31), nor is it contained in the intellect of the “natural†man (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). The understanding and acknowledgment that comes through the world’s philosophy out of the reasoning of the unsaved mind is “earthly, sensual, devilish†(James 3:15).
Thankfully, “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy†(James 3:17). God’s work is “very good.†When the creation of our new man is executed (Ephesians 4:24), we are given the “mind of Christâ€â€”not His omniscience but the kind of mind that can now understand spiritual matters (1 Corinthians 2:16). Truly, we have been made friends with God. Jesus said, “For all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you†(John 15:15). HMM III
Beguiled and Enticed
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.†(Colossians 2:4)
“And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.†(Colossians 2:4)
Any man can beguile us with words that are designed to capture our reason. The unusual word chosen by the Holy Spirit to describe the process is paralogizomai. The basic meaning is “alongside of reason.†It is used only one other time, in James 1:22: “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.â€
That self-deception is accomplished through “enticing words†(Greek pithanologia), used only here in Colossians. It couples the term for “reason†with “persuasion†and contains the foundation for the English word “analogy,†a very similar process of using familiar words to transfer a known idea to something else. It is deception accomplished by transferring truth onto an untruth.
During His training of the disciples, Jesus often warned that it was possible for His followers to be deceived by those who would come and make attempts to claim some role with His authority. “For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many†(Matthew 24:5). “Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many†(Matthew 24:11). “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect†(Matthew 24:24).
The stated purpose for gifted leaders in churches was to prevent the immaturity of disciples who would be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive†(Ephesians 4:14). Although God has made provision for our stability in “wisdom and knowledge†(Colossians 2:2-3), we are warned that we can be beguiled by listening to the “enticing words†of those who deny Christ. HMM III
Avoiding Compromise
Although the temptation to compromise threatens every believer, we don't have to give in. If we're aware of the danger and understand the downward progression and ultimate consequences, we can determine to be vigilant in obedience to the Lord.
The first step in learning how to avoid compromise is understanding why it is so tempting. When others pressure us to take part in in what we know God has forbidden, it's easy to give in because we don't want to feel rejected. But anyone who's committed to living a godly life must be willing to stand alone and face ridicule or even persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). At other times, we consent to activities that violate our conscience just to avoid conflict, but peace at any price means we have to sacrifice obedience to God.
However, the temptation to compromise doesn't always originate with others. In fact, James 1:14 says we are tempted when we're carried away by our own lusts. How many Christians have fallen into sexual immorality or pornography by desiring a second look? Greed is another motivation that drives us to compromise. If you fudge on your income tax or take a few things home from the office, you've stepped over the line of obedience to God. Our choices should be based on scriptural truth, not on our feelings and desires.
In order to stand firm against compromise, we must make God's Word the standard for our conduct. If you begin each day with the Lord in His Word, He will guide your way. Then when the Spirit gives a warning, obey immediately, because giving consideration to the temptation opens a door for Satan.
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