"If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring" —Proverbs 25:26

I was thinking about compromise the other day.  I'd made a decision that in retrospect, I was unsure had been the correct one to make.  It wasn't as though it had been a snap decision.  I'd culled it over in my mind for some time - and there lies the root of the problem.  Too much dependency and over-confidence in myself, and not enough time spent in talking the situation over with the Lord, and listening to his reply.

If we could take a survey of all people around the world who profess to be Christians, asking how many times, and under what circumstances, they have found beliefs and standards have been  compromised. Every day, in every relationship, we are required, and expected to, make compromises, and that's ok, because every relationship would get no-where without give and take.  But when that give and take infringes on our moral standards and Christian life-style, we need to be well grounded and uncompromising.

It's not that we consciously set out to compromise, but compromise is insidious – it starts with a series of steps down. Many of us have walked with the Lord for many years, then out of the blue, we trip, and fall. It happens because we've become so cock-sure that “it will never happen to me”, and before we know it, we've let down our guard.

Take Peter for instance. Peter denied Jesus on the night of His arrest. His action wasn't just a spontaneous reaction – embarrassment, or fear for his own life, he was SO sure that above all the disciples no-one could ever love the Lord as deeply as he did. There was no way he could envisage ever denying the Lord. His guard was lowered. He had become over confident in his own strength

He had already laid the groundwork for desertion. He'd already taken clear steps toward denying Christ before he entered the courtyard of the high priest and warned himself at the enemy's fire. Peter was a man who literally walked with God. But still he fell. Likewise, none of us suddenly backslide.

We see someone who falls away from the Lord and we say, "How could that be? They seemed to be doing so well." Know this: The steps may have been taken in secret, but clearly they had been taken. What has occupied our thoughts every moment of every day? Because actions spring from our thoughts. We are either building up our spiritual character or weakening it.
(Acknowledgemnts Greg Laurie)

Music choice today is Search My Heart - Lifebreakthrough - New Time Gospel Hymn.  Click on the picture to listen.