I’ll occasionally hear from people about the condition of today’s Church, that there is too much compromising when it comes to truth that is clearly presented, even commanded, in God’s Word. All Scripture is inspired by the Almighty God which makes it authoritative. So, why is the Church compromising and what should we do about it?
5 Reasons Churches Compromise
Consider if any of the following possible causes of compromise may be present in your church, or even in your own personal life.
- A blatant disregard of what is written God’s Word often stems from one’s view of the Bible.
Is the Bible truly inspired by God, authoritative, and relevant for today (2 Tim. 3:16-17)? If so, then we must use it as our standard for living.
Compromise is so much easier if we view the Bible as antiquated, out-of-touch, or authored by man.
To Read:
- A relativistic approach to God’s Word ties into one’s view of God Himself.
Is He a God whose Word should hold absolute sway over our lives? If so, then we do not pick and choose what to believe and obey.
Compromise is so much easier if we have an anemic God.
To Read:
- An unfiltered approach to life comes through a casual and surface approach to God’s Word.
Does renewal of our minds and discernment come through the use of God’s Word (Rom. 12:2; Heb. 5:12-14)? If so, then we need to not only spend time reading God’s Word but digesting and using it.
Compromise is so much easier if we are anemic believers.
To Read: Want to Be More Discerning? – Get Into the Word
- A tendency to lower our standards happens when we conform more to the ways of the world rather than holding firm to Truth.
Aren’t we to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor. 10:3-5), with Him as our standard? If so, then as the world is getting worse, the gap between the ways of world and the Church should be broadening rather than keeping parallel.
Compromise is so much easier when we rationalize that we still aren’t as bad as the world.
To Read:
- A propensity toward making concessions comes when we elevate pragmatism and tolerance above God’s Word.
Aren’t His ways higher than all else (Isa. 55:8-9)? If so, then we should be trusting in the Lord with all and in all and not leaning on our own understanding but rather submitting to Him even when we don’t see how something He commands will work in a given situation (Prov. 3:5-6).
Compromise is so much easier when we buy into the lie that the end justifies the means.
To Read:
- Glorifying God in Ministry: Both Results & the Process Matter
- Scripture Related to Decision-Making
- Getting Guidance from God First Only Makes Sense
Perhaps you can add to the list of reasons given above. Understanding why the Church is compromising is good but we must also consider what we should do about it. We need to get beyond merely talking about the condition of the Church. Go to the next post about what to do about compromise.