"Compromise kills!"

Below are a few photos I saw on Pinterest yesterday.  I am thankful for lovely photos like this that simply convey the truth of God's word and for people who care to take their walk with God seriously, knowing the world is watching a Christian's every move to see whether or not their faith will be proven genuine by their actions, words, behavior, who they spend time with, the people they choose to be around, the habits they engage in, what they justify as "fine or normal" (like flirtatious behavior, drinking every now and then, watching movies that are clearly impure, or being around people/going certain places where sin abounds), and what they fill their minds with daily.  The real question should not be, "What can I do and still be considered a Christian?" or "How close can I get to this sin without it technically being classified as sinning?"  What we should be asking is, "Lord, what will make me more like You?  Does this friendship or relationship honor You and enable me to grow as a Christian, or is it a hindrance to moving forward in my relationship with You and a distraction which tempts me to sin?  Does this form of entertainment bring about compromise and therefore prevent me from growing in holiness or hinder me from walking in Your ways, or is this form of entertainment pleasing in Your sight, a godly influence, and edifying?"

Compromise with sin can be compared to walking toward a cliff.  Wouldn't it be silly to say, "How close can I get to the edge of the cliff without actually falling?"  That would be absurd!  Yet so often we treat our sins of choice like they are all fun and games that will bring about no real consequence.  We must keep in mind that secret sins and sins of the mind are sins too!

If you had parents that were respectable individuals and only wanted what was best for you, obedience to their rules would be a joy, not drudgery!  On the same token, if we are truly saved and know the God who created everything, why do we mess around with sin and treat God's commands like they are a hindrance to the fun life?  A wise friend and mentor once said to me, "God's commandments are there for our benefit.  If we lived according to His commands, we would live clean lives that are free from the bondage of regret and guilt!  We would actually live the most fulfilling, rewarding, and satisfying life we could because it would not bring shame or consequences and we could truly be free to enjoy life."

To be painfully blunt, if a woman commonly attracts many men, she will no doubt appreciate and adore the attention, yet what happens if she gives into the lifestyle that will most likely follow of sleeping around...whether that be with twenty men or ONE?  It could lead to getting AIDS or another STD(s)!  And if this were so, she would not be seen as such an attractive and appealing woman anymore while dying in a hospital bed at an early age (or any age for that matter), would she?  Do you think other women would envy her then?  Do you think men would want to be with her then?  No, and this is because through her, we can see the consequences of sin played out to its completion, which started out as a fun time of living life how she wanted, and then ends up amounting to corruption and literal death!  This brings quite a different perspective, doesn't it?

May those who claim to know Jesus say in all situations, circumstances, and in everything, "Lord, incline my heart to You.  Purge and refine me.  Sanctify me, cleanse me, and give me a clean heart.  Enable me to do what makes me pure and a godly example and deliver me from my desire to get my own way in wanting to do what I want with whom I want and not even considering the very real consequences of my actions, behavior, conduct, and speech!"

For, in reality, sin may appear to be worth it by masquerading as a pleasure, yet there will always be some form of consequence, whether that be to a greater or lesser degree and whether it shows up right away or not.

"Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."  Galatians 5: 24

Romans chapter six

Psalm 51

 As someone once said when referring to testing the genuineness of your salvation, "Be sure you're sure!"