What is the number one assault weapon of the Adversary against Christians? It very well may be compromise. If Satan cannot get us with a direct attack he often successfully employs compromise. Balaam was obsessed by the King of Moab’s lucrative offer of financial reward. When his repeated attempts to thwart God’s stated commitment to Israel met with an intervention which converted every planned curse into a blessing how did Balaam secure his handsome reward? He guided Balak to have Moabite women seduce Israelite men and lead them astray (25: 1 – 18; 31: 16). His sin became legendary (Num. 31: 1 - 18; Jd. 11; Rev. 2: 14). There are still many who hold to the teaching of Balaam (Rev. 2: 14).
Believers often cut corners and shave edges in an effort to make Christianity more appealing to others and themselves more comfortable. Few of us are comfortable with outright denials of the faith. Our heart and other believers quickly accuse us when such gestures are made. We along with the Christians around us find sometimes cute and clever compromises much more palatable. Compromise allows us to convince ourselves that we are really “good” Christians even while living in disobedience. Since most Christians are also practicing the art of compromise our act often passes muster with them as well. Only when we find our self up close and personal with someone who will not compromise do we start feeling uncomfortable. Sad isn’t it, we are often more comfortable with compromisers than non-compromisers.
The cyclone of compromise has robbed once vibrant and victorious denominations of their spiritual potency. It has depleted the energy stores of too many churches to count. It has weakened all of us at critical turns in our Christian walk. Compromise leaves enough of our faith in place to permit us to call ourselves Christians but frequently not enough to convince a skeptical world of our faith claims. Compromise is the language of the devil not of God. Imagine if Jesus had compromised in the face of the Cross. He didn’t and we must not either. Partial obedience is disobedience.