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The Danger of Compromise

by Jerry Ousley  
11/29/2013 / Christian Living

I have often referred to the Book of Judges as a strange time in the history of Israel. It was a time when the people did pretty much what they thought was right in their own eyes. The Law of Moses was certainly intact, but there was no king; only people designated as judges. Their religion was largely led by the high priest. The different tribes went through several periods during which they would turn away from God, often worshipping idols and false gods. During those times God would be patient with them for a while, giving them space to come to their senses themselves. But when they didn't then He would allow one of the enemy nations they had failed to eliminate from the land to oppress them. They would ask for forgiveness, God would deliver them, and they would start all over again.

One of the stories that took place during this time has always intrigued me. The story actually began in Judges 17. It tells of a young Levite from Bethlehem (who was supposed to be a God-fearing man and a servant of the order of the priesthood). We aren't told all the details of his story but it seems to me that he was bored with his duties. I have always imagined that this young man dreamed of doing great things with his life, perhaps even being a priest, and maybe even the high priest, some day. But the little burg of Bethlehem was a dead end. So one day he struck out to see what he could find. The Bible tells us that he happened upon a man by the name of Micah who lived in the mountains of Ephraim. When Micah asked him where he was going the young man told him that he was looking for a place to stay, making certain to let Micah know that he was a Levite. This caught Micah's attention because he had been looking for such a man to be a priest in his home, although he wasn't exactly serving God but was worshipping idols. He offered the young Levite a job as his household priest.

Now you'd think that a Levite, who had at least some training in the Law and the worship of God, would have known better. But here was a job offer, and a place to stay; all he had to do was to take care of the spiritual needs of this family. He took the job. In my mind I can almost hear his thoughts, "At least it's a job and it is a religious job. I'll take it!" It was a compromise from his training. He had it made in Micah's household. On the surface it might not have seemed like such a bad "gig" but compromise will always lead to other things and one day the "gig" will be up.

Before we become too quick to judge this young Levite we should probably examine our own lives. Have we too compromised? Often this is the case sometimes without us even realizing what we have done.

I never want to be too critical of the Church. I realize that it is instituted of God and the true Church in this world belongs to Jesus Christ. I also believe that God can use all tools for His glory. For instance, many thought, especially in its early days, that the Internet was only an instrument of the devil. But God allowed some to see the value of spreading the Gospel by way of this means. Today many ministries are carried out through the Internet and it has become an avenue to minister world-wide. Music is another tool. I personally believe that God can use all types of music to convey the Gospel. We all have different tastes when it comes to the art of music. But, alas, it has been used by the devil as well. I can't tell you how many congregations have split or experienced trouble over this art form that should be viewed as a great means of making the Gospel understandable to any group of people.

But in many areas the organized church has gone too far. Nearly every week I read of yet another congregation that has compromised its standards, taking that particular congregation down a wrong path. Now don't misunderstand; I'm not judging or siding with any group over the subject of music. That should be left to the leaders of a congregation to work out what's best for them, as they listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit on the matter. What I am referring to is when congregations compromise only in order to gain numbers in their group. Yes folks, that's happening a lot these days. Many groups are being run more like a big business trying to get more customers than the competitor down the street instead of ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the lost and reaching out to help believers grow in Christ.

Compromise is sometimes a good thing. But more often it leads to relaxing our morals and allowing things to come in that are not good with God. It doesn't just happen with congregations but also in our individual lives. Are we compromising? Are we letting down on our standards, and those things we once felt deeply about in our hearts in order to be like the world around us? Let's examine ourselves to make certain we don't fall into the same trap as this young Levite, but let's stay true to what God has spoken in His word and into our hearts.

Jerry D. Ousley is the author of ?Soul Challenge?, ?Soul Journey?, ?Ordeal?, ?The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional and his first novel ?The Shoe Tree.? Visit our website at spiritbread.com to download these and more completely free of charge.

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