Grey Isn’t the New Black & White.

By Brian Jakowski

...the devious nature of compromise means none of its consequences are forced on us, they’re self-inflicted!

Gray is a mix of of color, pour in some black, a bunch of white, a few drops of blue to make it pop and viola you have a shade of gray; In other words, it’s a compromise. Shades of gray are great for decorating, but in your faith life , they can equal compromise opening the door to doubts that will gut your faith.

When Jesus walked the earth he made it clear,

“ “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.” He also said, “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” Luke 11:23 & Matthew 6:24

Faith is an all in or all out thing. You can’t keep one foot on either side of the line, Judas tried, and look what it got him. Doing both means you’ve never really chosen the kingdom of God. Believe other wise equals believing a lie you are deceived!

compromise is a Slow Thing!

The Casting Crowns song — Slow Fade, warns us to protect six areas of our life.

• Be care full what you see. The eyes are the lamp of the body. . . ” Matthew 6:24 Whatever you give your eyes to is what you plant in your soul. Give your eyes to pornography and you plant perversion. It can be something as simple as Victoria’s Secret catalog.
• Where do you go, would you go there with your kids or pastor? Who is following you? In John 23:1 Peter decides to return to fishing and the disciples with him followed. Had he not encountered Jesus on the shore, might that have been the end of the church?
• What you think and believe defines who you are. Dwell on anger, you get anger. Begin to think, it’s not that bad and compromise is knocking at your door.
• Flattery can be sincere and build you up. It can also be a lie leading you to places, you never thought you’d go. Listen to the second type long enough and God’s voice can fade until it all but vanishes.
• The tongue has no bones but is strong enough to break a heart so be careful with your words. (Unknown) James 3:6 tells us,
• ” The tongue also is a fire, the world of unrighteousness . . .” Words can plant and build up, or to tear down and destroy. in some cases what you don’t say can speak. more loudly. Not saying I love you is a prime example.
• This last warning found in James 1:14–15 is the most chilling, the devious nature of compromise means none of its consequences are forced on us, they’re self-inflicted!

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Compromise in the Church

Compromise is creeping into the church, only 30 % of all Christians believe the bible is the actual word of God, 35% protestants and 21% of Catholics. That number drops to 16% among Millennial's (Barna Trends, page 141). With the belief in the Bible, dropping so low, how can poor choices or compromised beliefs not be far behind?

Christianity is the largest faith in the world. In 2015 there were 2.3 billion Christians worldwide, that’s 31.2% of the earth’s population. However, efforts to control or suppress Christianity continue in America. Just try praying at a school function or in the U.S. capital building and see what happens. Consider this quote from Franklin Grahm,

God not only holds His followers to account, but all of mankind. The human race continues gulping the bitter water in the sea of immorality, rejecting truth and trying to silence God’s people. Franklin Grahm

Compared to Christians who die for their faith, persecution of American Christians is mild. Still, as attacks on Christians and their beliefs increase, fear of reprisal causes churches and peoples to hesitate in calling sin, sin. Others who live out their Christian faith unashamedly, but lose jobs or end up in court defending their beliefs.

Nevertheless many of the rulers believed in Jesus, but because of the Pharisees they were not confessing Him, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the approval of men rather than the approval of God. John 12:42–43

So What’s the Solution?

The answer has two equally important parts. First, you need not live in fear of speaking God’s truths, He’s Got your back.

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” like 12:11–12

The second answer is to purposefully live for Jesus. as suggested by Francis of Assisi,

“Preach the Gospel always when necessary use words”

Keep Jesus’s promises before you and control the influences you allow in your life by Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who help you to grow in faith. Establish a daily personal devotional time and your on the path that will keep you from a slow fade into gray shades and compromise.