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Are You a Compromiser?Introduction: Compromise is something that we are all familiar with, but do we realize what it means – What it is? Def. – Compromise: “1. a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions. v.t. 3. to surrender or give up (one’s interests, principles etc.)” Webster A. What are the characteristics of compromise?
1. Two parties or principles are always involved.
2. Subtlety (skilful, cleaver, crafty, artful,
designing, sly) is nearly always involved.
3. Both sides are seeking to gain something.
4. However, one side always comes out on the short end
of the bargain—gives up something.B. In the Business and Political world compromise is the
order of the day.
1. A business man almost has to compromise to get along
in the world.
2. In politics there is continually compromising of
ideas, etc.
Illustration: Nations use their most clever, crafty,
artful, designing, skilful diplomats to gain to
point—to get concessions.
1) The world situation today rests on compromise –
Middle East Situation, etc.
2) The Berlin wall of the pest, etc.C. In the Married Relationship there is continual compromising in order to get along. D. However, in Religion there must not be any Compromise
when the law of Christ is at stake.
1. In Galatians 2:1-5, we see that the apostle Paul
refused to yield to the demands of the Jews that
Titus be circumcised, for by so doing he would have
denied the true liberty that is in the gospel of
Christ. He did not Comprise the Gospel for the Law
of Moses.Discussion: Compromise is the devil’s eldest and greatest weapon, and he has used it on man from the beginning. I. Examples of Some Who Compromised With Satan:
A. Eve compromised in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:1-
7; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3
1. Two parties were involved – Satan and Eve.
2. Satan was very subtle, sly, skilful, clever and
crafty in designing in what he wanted – (acts in
an insidious way) Webster
1) He wanted a disciple – a follower.
2) Eve wanted wisdom to make her wise.
3) The result was that Satan won out in the
encounter—
(1) He gained disciples – Adam and Eve.
(2) Adam and Eve lost their home—cast out of
the garden—death passed… Cf. Genesis 3
(Romans 5:12)
B. Balaam, the prophet compromised. (Numbers 22;--
25:1-3; 2 Peter 2:15; Jude 11; Revelation 2:14)
1. Balaam and Balak were the parties.
1) Balak was very subtle and offered treasures
and honor to get what he wanted – Israel
cursed.
2) Balaam “loved the wages of unrighteousness”
and this great love of money became the root
of evil. Cf. 1 Timothy 6:10. “Ran greedily
after the error of Balaam for reward” – Jude
11.
3) The result: both Balaam and Balak were
punished – slained. Numbers 31:8 C. Saul – King of Israel spared King Agag, and the
best of the flocks and herds of the Amalekites. 1
Samuel 15
1. Saul compromised with the people.
1) They wanted the best of the flocks and herds,
they said to sacrifice to God. 15:15, 21.
2) Saul feared the people and obeyed their
voice. 15:24
3) The result was that Saul lost his kingdom—
better to obey than sacrifice. 15:26, 22 II. Examples of Some Who Refused to Compromise…With Satan.
A. Jesus refused to compromise with Satan in the
wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13.
1. Satan, the old devil tempted Jesus in the
following ways: (three ways)
1) Lust of the flesh…
2) Lust of the eyes, and…
3) Pride of Life. Cf. 1 John 2:15-17
2. The result was that Jesus overcame Satan’s
subtlety by using the Scriptures—“it is
written”, and by His sharp and pointed answers
He left no room for compromise.
B. Apostles of Christ refused to compromise…
1. Peter and John refused to compromise with the
rulers, elders, and scribes of the Jews in
Jerusalem. See Acts 4:5-20.
1) They were charged not to speak in the name of
Jesus. Verses 17, 18
2) The apostles refused to hearken. Verses 19,
20
3) the result was that the apostles were filled
with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word with
all boldness. Verse 31
2. All the Apostles were imprisoned and charged not
to teach in the name of Jesus. Acts 5:17-32
1) The charge reviewed – verse 28
2) The apostle’s answer – verse 29
3) The result was that they preached and taught
daily in the temple and from house to house
and the number of the disciples multiplied.
Acts 5:42; 6:1
C. Stephen refused to compromise with the Jewish
council. Acts 6:9-7:60
1. He could have apologized to the Jews for his
offensive preaching and teaching.
2. Instead, he, by the Holy Spirit, spoke the truth
with all boldness. Verses 51-53
3. The result was that His Savior, Jesus Christ
stood up at God’s right hand when he was stoned
to death. Verses 55-56
D. Martyrs of the early church who refused to
compromise.
1. Ignatius replied to the Romans: “I care for
nothing, of visible or invisible things, so that
I may but win Christ. Let fire and the cross,
let the companies of wild beasts, let breaking
of bones and tearing of limbs, let the grinding
of the whole body, and all the malice of the
devil, come upon me; be it so, only may I win
Christ Jesus. (Fox’s Book of Martyrs, pp. 7,8)
2. Polycarp answered the Proconsul who urged him to
swear and reproach Christ; “Eighty and six years
have I arrived him, and he never once wronged
me; how then shall I blaspheme my King, Who hath
saved him?” (Ibid. page 9).III. How Not to Compromise With the Devil:
A. Follow the Example of Jesus—“It is written”. See
Matthew 4:1-11.
1. Speak only as the “oracles of God.” 1 Peter 4:11
2. Respect the silence of the Scriptures. See
Hebrews 1:5; 7:14.
B. Resist the Devil and he will flee. James 4:7
1. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1
Thessalonians 5:22
2. “Abhor that which is evil – cleave to that which
is good. Romans 12:9
3. Shun evil companions for they corrupt good
morals. 1 Corinthians 15:33; 5:6.
C. Don’t serve Two Masters. Matthew 6:24
1. You cannot be neutral – for if you are not with
the Lord, You are against Him. Matthew 12:30
2. Work and Serve the Lord – not the Devil.
Ephesians 2:10; 1 Corinthians 1:9; Titus 2:14;
3:1
D. Honor the Head of the Church.
1. Christ is preeminent in the church. Colossians
1:18
2. He has all authority. Matthew 28:18
3. Hence, do all in the name of the Christ.
Colossians 3:17Conclusion: From this lesson we should have learned that
compromise is the Devil’s greatest weapon today (today’s
weapons have been perfected, but Satan made the best one
first—compromise).
A. Are you compromising with Satan? You are if:
1. You don’t attend all the services possible. Hebrews
10:25
2. You don’t confess your public sins. James 5:16; 1
John 1:9; Acts 8:20-24; etc.
3. You are conforming to the world – worldliness in your
life—mixed bathing, wearing of shorts, dancing, etc.
Romans 12:2; etc.
4. You are not abounding in the work of the Lord –
bearing much fruit in His vineyard. 1 Corinthians
15:58; John 15:8
5. Issues today!
Read Statement from – “Life and Sermons of B. T. Larimore – p. 147 “When we begin to fail, about the first thing we lose is the power to perceive we are fallible and failing. There’s the trouble.” (?) Letters and Sermons of T. B. Larimore p. 147 Exhortation: Beloved, we beseech you, one and all, to stop compromising with the Devil and start Serving the Lord Jesus! Howard See
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