There is a great deception that blurs our eyes. And it prevents us from living according to our true identity as God’s children. This is the deception of compromising or the middle ground. This deception is rooted in the lie that we can live simultaneously under the leadership of two different masters. Or that at the same time we can to observe the laws of two different kingdoms. But the Bible’s truth is that there is no middle ground. We worship either God or satan. We choose to either follow the Spirit of God or to follow the programming of our old identity and the laws of the world by acting in the flesh.
The deception of compromising – two masters
When we accept by faith the reconciliation with God through the substitute sacrifice of Christ, we receive at the same time a new identity. This of God’s beloved children. Our spirit is reborn and renewed, which for the first time gives us true freedom. We can now freely choose to follow God and obey the truth or follow our old programming. The old programming is a way of life independent of God, in which the ego is a god.
Jesus Christ explicitly states that it is impossible to serve two masters at once. “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Mammon (the money).” (Luke 16:13) The Mammon or the love for money is one of the most common forms of idolatry and expression of the love for the world and all that is in it – the desire of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride or vanity of life.
The deception of compromising aims to blur our new identity and belonging. As well as to stop the process of renewing of the mind and of following God. The purpose is to block our sanctification through compromising choices and actions. The compromising leads to mixture and spiritual fornication. In this way, God’s children have little power, authority, and their effectiveness as God’s witnesses is greatly reduced.
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Citizens of another kingdom
From the beginning of our relationship with God and the change of our status to citizens of the heavenly kingdom, God instructed us to separate and set apart for Him. He instructs us not to follow the customs and practices of other peoples because we are already changed. God calls us: “Come out, separate! Be perfect and holy like me!” “But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15, Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7)
To be set apart for God means to realize, acknowledge and live with the consciousness that we are His. We are His chosen, called and separated to reflect the image, character, thoughts, hearts, and deeds of our Father. This means to understand, accept and live with the truth that we belong to God, that we are redeemed by Him to represent Him and to inherit Him.
The belonging to God and His family is the defining basis of our identity and automatically means that we must not identify with and follow the ways of the world. To live in this world without being part of it. Christ speaks in the Gospel of John 15:16 about this different belonging, purpose, and mission. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”
Purpose and consequences of the deception of compromising
Satan’s strategy of compromising and mixing purposes to attack and destroy the connection with our identity and belonging, not our behavior. First, we are before we do. That is why God presents Himself with the name of Jehovah – I Am He Who I Am. (Exodus 3:14, Isaiah 41: 4, 43:10). And Christ says to those who do not belong to Him: “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.” (John 8:23-24)
If we believe the lie that we are from below, then we will live below as if we belong to this world. But if we really believe we are from above, then we will live as representatives of the above, of the heavenly kingdom.
The Laodicean mentality
The lifestyle of compromise with our identity as God’s representatives leads to the development of the so-called Laodicean mentality. Jesus Christ rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely because of the sin of mixing and compromise, calling them lukewarm. It is because of this lukewarmness (neither hot nor cold) that He warns them that He will spit them out from His mouth. (Revelation 3:14-22)
The result is an inner division and a life that does not match what we are. God’s solution is repentance of this dead religion and the opening of our hearts to His grace, which alone can heal, purify and transform us. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” (Revelation 3:20)
Your turn
Is there an area of your life marked by inner conflict and compromise? You are welcome to share and comment!
Hadassah
We are so easily deceived by what makes sense to our human sensibilities. The contrast of the flesh and the Spirit has always been an intriguing study. What makes sense to us is often not God’s best way.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts! Yes, it is really amazing how the ways of God appear so counter-intuitive and contrary to our fleshly inclinations. That’s why it is so crucial to renew our minds in the Word and to put it into practice.