Standing Strong in a Compromised World

“As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honour. A wise person chooses the right road; a fool takes the wrong one” (Ecclesiastes 10:1-2 NLT).

Welcome back dear student, compromise can seem like the easier option in the heat of the moment, but afterwards it leaves a mess. Jesus said “the road that leads to destruction is broad and its gate is wide for the many that choose that way. But the gateway to Life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

So much of compromise has to do with influence. “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). The Word tells us that Wisdom is the principle thing (Proverbs 4:7). That means it’s very important. The fear of the Lord is identified as the beginning of Wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Wisdom sadly, is often scarce, because people turn away from God to their own desires and wants, ending up struggling with all kinds of problems as a result.

They’ve been fooled into thinking that they don’t need God, that He is a myth, or that they have the universe inside of themselves thus making them gods. It’s a trap that the enemy has used effectively to create massive chaos and dysfunction. What is good is now called evil and what is evil is called good – things are completely perverse, and like a silent killer gas creeps in and fills the place, binding all those caught by it completely unaware.

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light, and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet, and sweet with bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight" (Isaiah 5:20-21).

“The Wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them” (Proverbs 14:8).

Accountability, honour, integrity, wisdom, and truth, are rare, godly traits because the world’s culture promotes and celebrates the opposite - deception, scorn, and low behaviour. Doing the right thing is never easy or popular, but as John Wayne said, ‘a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!’ It was wonderful to witness the hardworking, and unheard people of Ireland arise in unity this past week. Those who go to work night and day to ensure that we have food, supplies, and help for our daily lives.

Rising costs are crippling their livelihoods. Many are at breaking point financially and emotionally. The hostility from some of our government representatives and others, is despicable. It’s a tough station - working in the private sector, with the pressures of covering taxes and bank loans, paying wages and pensions, and trying to keep the lights on.

We pray for God’s provision and peace for all the small businesses, that they would know the goodness of God, and the joy of Salvation through Jesus. And we pray that we would have a righteous government in this nation, that people would turn to the Lord Jesus for deliverance and wisdom, and humble themselves to ask God to help them get onto the right pathway of Life.

“If My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

To understand where we are going we must understand where we have come from. The Lord tells us to ask Him for the ancient paths to find the right way to peace and rest for our souls (Jeremiah 6:16). What would happen if instead of compromising, we chose to ask God for His help to stand strong, and do what His Word tells us to? Jesus said if you love Me you will obey My Commandments (John 14:15).

Friend, in growing to know the Lord through His Word, we discover true peace, wisdom, and joy!