We all face moments of spiritual compromise when tempted to make decisions that go against our beliefs and values. It can be hard to stay true to our inner selves in the midst of difficult choices and uncertainty. Fortunately, there are ways to overcome spiritual compromise. In today’s post, we’ll explore different ways we can overcome the spiritual compromise of today and remain connected to Jesus.
A while back, my husband and I treated ourselves to the latest Marvel movie in theaters. After loading up at the concession stand, we made our way to our seats for the two-hour entertainment session. As the lights dimmed and the plot unfolded, I felt uncomfortable with what I saw on the screen. The storyline featured witches, spells, satanic rituals, and books of the dead that opened portals to unseen dimensions.
Something in me knew what I was seeing was wrong. Undertones of the occult were on full display, attractively packaged as a “Family” movie. I brushed off the uneasiness and reminded myself, “Don’t ruin the evening- this is fiction and doesn’t affect my faith.” Throughout the remainder of the movie, however, the uneasy feeling never left. Later that evening, my husband agreed; he also felt the film glorified satanism and the occult. We stayed however, unwilling to disrupt other viewers or appear odd for leaving, we chose to compromise.
Overcoming Spiritual Compromise
Spiritual compromise varies for everyone, but at its core it’s about sacrificing your values or beliefs for something else – often a benefit or convenience. It’s the kind of decision you know deep down is not in line with your morals, but you do it anyway to make life easier. We’ve all experienced this type of compromise. But what happens when compromise in our lives causes the deterioration of our morals and values as children of God? The Bible says, “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or the left. You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” Deuteronomy 5:32-33
Compromising our morals and values as children of God can have devastating consequences. Negative influences can weaken our spiritual foundations, leading to actions inconsistent with our beliefs. Additionally, compromise can lead to decisions with long-term consequences for our relationships, self-image, and wellbeing.
The Effects of Spiritual Compromise
The Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian bondage was marred by spiritual compromise in the wilderness. After a miraculous exit from Egypt and crossing the Red Sea, God brought the Israelites to Mount Sinai to receive his laws. But when Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people begged Aaron to make a substitute God for them. Exodus 32:1
The people had fallen into the habit of worshipping false gods and idols while in Egypt, a direct contradiction to God’s will. Aaron’s responsibility as a leader was to guide the people away from harm and destruction. However, this was not the case. Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Exodus 32:2-4 Aaron’s willingness to compromise brought shame to the people and angered God.
Spiritual Compromise Is Contagious
Like any other sin, spiritual compromise can be contagious because people are social creatures and can influence each other. When one person makes a spiritual compromise, others in their surroundings may follow suit out of fear or peer pressure. We see this example in the Apostle Peter, who succumbed to peer pressure. Peter would eat and drink with Gentile believers, but distance himself when certain Jews arrived. Galatians 2:12. Peter’s actions grieved Gentiles and influenced Jewish Christians, implying that other people’s opinions outweighed the gospel’s freedom and truth.
The Apostle Paul, however, called Peter out on his hypocrisy. Paul corrected Peter, pointing out Christ’s atoning work united both the Jew and Gentile. “But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?” Galatians 2:14
Compromise Leads to Destruction
Just as spiritual compromise is contagious, it can also lead to damaging consequences without proper checks and balances. Unrestrained compromise can create a false sense of security in which people don’t take their religious and moral responsibilities seriously. It starts small – a lie, gossip – and the enemy whispers “it’s no big deal”, eventually leading to greater disobedience of God’s word. The Apostle Paul addressed this concern in his letter to the Christians in Galatia. “You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.” Galatians 5:7-8
It’s essential that believers not “brush off” various forms of Spiritual Compromise in their lives. Perhaps if my husband and I had been more courageous in our moral convictions, we would have left the movie, despite the reactions of other viewers.
Recognizing Compromise
The key to overcoming spiritual compromise of today lies in our awareness of its presence. A temperature gauge measures and displays temperatures. This allows users to take corrective action when needed. The moment we accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior we received an internal spiritual temperature gauge. Case in point, the “uneasy” and gnawing feeling I experienced while watching the movie. The Holy Spirit empowers us to recognize and resist spiritual compromise. Jesus spoke of this in John 14:26, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
For the Holy Spirit to bring to remembrance the words of Jesus, we must renew our minds daily through his word. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you can test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Standing Firm in Christ
Believers must be courageous and stand firm in righteousness for Christ. Confronting temptations to flourish in faith, no matter the difficulty. The Bible tells us to put on the whole armor of God to fight the schemes and tactics of the enemy. “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:14-18
Remember, as we remain true to our spiritual convictions, others will be encouraged to do the same, providing a positive example to those in our circle of influence.
In closing, we can overcome the Spiritual Compromise of Today through strength in God and guidance from the Holy Spirit. If this reading has blessed you, please comment below.
