My writing set-up
What do you think of when you hear compromise?
I don’t know about you but for me compromise seems to have more cons than pros connected to it. When I think of compromise, I think first of the common giving and taking involved in relationships.
I’ve taught my children about the concept of compromise many times. They both want to play a different game, so they compromise by playing Memory first and then playing Go Fish or they find compromise by combining House with School and now they’re both happy.
But what about the downside of compromise? Where could it lead if you allow it to guide you? It seems as though when we compromise on little it will end up being a much bigger deal than we thought it would ever be.
What about when you just want to keep the peace, so you don’t speak up when you see or hear something that is wrong or when someone hurts you and you don’t speak up. If you continue on this trajectory you will end up miserable, possibly stuck in a situation that seems impossible to remove yourself from, and riddled with a guilty conscience.
But we don’t want to be legalistic, right? Being legalistic means, “Concerning adherence to moral law rather than to personal religious faith.”
I often wonder where that line is drawn. Because if we go through life just all willy nilly about bending rules and using grace as a weapon against ourselves (since that’s who it hurts in the end) wouldn’t you rather be a tad more legalistic? {Don’t hear me wrong here, the grace of God is sufficient when we mess up but what does Paul say in Romans should we just go on sinning because we have the gift of grace? No way!!}
So where is the line then? Where do we compromise and where do we not?
That answer will be different for everyone, but I’ll leave you with a couple of thoughts I had concerning the topic of compromise.
For one, staying rooted in Christ will always be your best bet. Do not grieve the Holy Spirits leading in your life. When you’re tempted to compromise by listening to the genre of music that defames our Lord, don’t do it. When you’re tempted to compromise by clicking that link or sending a message that will corrode your marriage relationship, don’t.
Don’t give place for crude, inappropriate things or relationships. I think it’s fine to know the difference between a friend and someone who needs you to be a good example and someone to look up to. You have the power to steer conversations, and you have an obligation to God to do what’s right. He paid the ultimate price for our sins and it’s the least we can do to listen to his words and commands.
And two, looking circumspectly at your life is a good thing to do on a regular basis. Like the wisdom in Proverbs that talks about resisting the prostitute, resist your sin. If you see it lingering down a dimly lit corner of the internet or in the conversation that always ends in slandering, turn the other way. Do not engage in the first step towards the pit. It’s much easier to say no every time than to compromise once and feel the temptation always pulling you in.
If you’re in a situation where you’re stuck in a sin loop, stop and think about what got you there. Was it an attitude of indifference and malice that keeps leading you to gossip? Is it an app of your phone that gives you ample opportunity to engage in pornography or sexting? Do you resent your life because you’re constantly in a state of comparison rather than gratitude?
We have to take a long, honest look at ourselves in the mirror every day and see where we’ve fallen, where we’ve compromised for too long and pray for God to strengthen us, to change our hearts and repent of those actions or thoughts.
Repent means to turn away so don’t stop at prayer. When you show up at the fork in the road of Compromise and Narrow Path. The Narrow Pathway will always be best. Maybe not the easiest, but by far the best and most wise decision you can make.
Do set up guard rails in your life. Not in a legalistic way where the guardrails themselves are your savior, but instead they’re a bumper of sorts that allows you more freedom to enjoy the life that Christ has given you.
So, delete the app, steer the conversation in a more holy direction, and read God’s word.
Let me know in the comments something that you’ve gained victory over and how it’s changed your perspective on life.
Subscribe to the blog!
The Millennial Mom 
Leave a comment