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What Does the Bible Say About Compromise?

We are living in a world of give and take. That is to say that nobody will get everything she wants, we all must compromise. This notion is true but only to some extent. When I read the first two chapters of Daniel, a question about compromise arises in my mind: Why was it ok to take Babylonian names, go to Babylonian schools, learn Babylonian literature but not eat the king’s food? Where should we draw the line in compromising with our own culture? On what issues is our society pressuring Christians to compromise?

Well, the Holy Writ does say something about compromise:

• Always pray that you will not compromise with temptation. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (KJV)
• Avoid all appearance of evil. Do not even set about an evil path. “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away”, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Prov. 4:14-15; 1 Thess. 5:22 (KJV).
• Do not let sinners sway you. “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Prov. 1:10 (KJV).
• Never give the devil a chance; he will not squander any opportunity. He is good at what he does best, lying. “Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27 (KJV).
• We are either for Christ or Satan, there can be no compromise when it comes to the devil. “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30 (KJV).
• We have to do the orders of God, not of man. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” “Acts 5:29 (KJV).
• Whoever walks righteously does not compromise. “He that walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he that despises the gain of oppressions, that shakes his hands from holding of bribes, that stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil; He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Isaiah 33:15-16 (KJV).
• You do not have to give in to compromise. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV).
• Your profession of faith is of no purpose if you give as your teaching the rules of men. “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9 (KJV).

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