THE DANGER OF COMPROMISING WITH SIN

Let us look at Genesis 3:6 again. It says, "The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too." Notice that Adam was with Eve when she ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were together. However, 1 Timothy 2:14 says, "And it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan. The woman was deceived, and sin was the result." Here's the question: if Satan did not deceive Adam, why did Adam stop Eve from eating the forbidden fruit? Adam knew God's commandment, and she even heard his wife mention it to Satan. Adam is supposed to be the leader and protector of his wife, ensuring that they follow God; however, he became silent and compromised. The lesson in today's devotion is the danger of compromising. The reason compromising is very dangerous is that we know the truth, but we disobey it to please or to avoid conflict with others. In this case, Adam probably tried to please his wife or to avoid conflict with her. But the consequences of his compromising was greater than what they could think of. 

Spiritual compromising leads to all kinds of problems in our relationship with God and those whom we care about and love. The reason is that, as we suppress the truth for the sake of showing love, favor, or avoiding conflict, it undermines what we truly believe in our hearts; thus, it will eventually lead to resentment and disconnection. In addition, instead of leading our relationship with God's truth, we allowed it to go in an ungodly way, robbing us of the joy of following God. If we truly care and love others, we need to stop compromising and stand up for what is right before God. This is going to let others know what we stand for. Bending our moral values and beliefs in God for temporary gains or simply keeping the peace can damage our reputation, shattering trust, and causing internal conflict or guilt. We may feel peace at the beginning of our compromise, but it will eventually cause a division in our relationship. 

Let us not compromise God's truth in any way. Compromising is a subtle threat that can dilute our core spiritual conviction, weaken our relationship with God, and may eventually ruin our relationship with those whom we care and love. Let us be a beacon of God's truth in our relationships by not compromising with sin. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it that compromising with sin is very dangerous in my relationship with God and others? What should I do to avoid compromising? What happens when I do not compromise my faith in God? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning of the danger of compromising with sin. Please help me to stand firm in your truth and not to compromise with sin. Give me the courage to stand up for what is right before you. Putting you first helps me grow in my relationship with you, and it also shows others your truth through me. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.