Compromise

“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.” 1 Kings 18:21 ESV (Emphasis mine)

“If you set out to be liked, you would be prepared to compromise on anything at any time, and you would achieve nothing.” Margaret Thatcher

There are times when compromise is welcome and times when it will hurt—compromising on dinner plans, helping someone who truly needs it, rearranging the budget or many things in life where we need flexibility.

But dating someone who is mean to you, stealing from your employer or neighbor, knowing the right thing to do but avoiding it are not good compromises. It’s being compromised. It’s manipulation. It doesn’t feel good. It’s controlling. It’s bargaining. It’s making someone owe you or vice-versa. It’s “making” someone like you. Well, until the rules change on likeability. Rules change. Do I want to be liked or true? It’s tough sometimes.

It’s limping.

If you’re not sure, here is a question I wish I would pause and ask more often—will this please the Father? I’ve found myself compromising on this too. From watching a movie with questionable morals to holding back on giving time to one in need or telling a “white” lie to avoid hurt feelings.  Compromise. Limping.

How many times have I neglected to encourage a coworker? Limping. Holding back praise and for what? Praise with specifics is so rare. How about your unique talents? Even the Father wants to hear our praise with specifics. The Psalms are filled with the wonderful things the Father does with inspiring specifics.

Musings

If someone arrested me for being a Christian, would they have enough evidence to convict me? I read this question somewhere and it was a real awakening. Compromised? Words are a dime a dozen if not backed up with actions. It caused me to check my behavior. I don’t have to be aggressive or brutally honest (that’s another fabrication meant to be mean). Sometimes we need to say no, we need to say let me think about it, and/or I love you but I’m going this way.

Prayer

Dear Father,

It is difficult at best and impossible at worst to act on what we know is truth. You will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free is a promise that seems so vague until we act upon it. Help us, with thanks, to seek Your face when the temptation to compromise is before us.

Amen.