“May the Lord have mercy on the preachers, politicians, and all in between who have compromised (sold) their souls for the lusts of the proverbial morsel of flesh.” Doug Stringer
If we sow in the Spirit, we reap in the Spirit. If we sow in the flesh, we reap according to the flesh. The world calls it karma: “What goes around comes around.” But it’s the Law of Reciprocity, and it comes out of Scripture:
“Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in his flesh, will of the flesh reap corruption. But he who sows to the Spirit will have the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8 NKJV)
The late Bible teacher Derek Prince wrote a book called, The Beast or The Lamb: Discerning the Nature That Determines Your Destiny. What an appropriate title for a time such as this! The summary on the back cover says:
“Our ancient enemy is cunning, and his subtle deceptions can infiltrate an unsuspecting heart—and church. When we don’t know or take seriously the daily relevance of the Bible’s teaching on satan and the end times, we can unwittingly get swept up in his schemes…
“Today and in the days ahead, a destiny-determining choice lies before you: Will you give in to the nature and deception of the Beast? Or will you stand firm in the nature of the Lamb, preparing yourself for the day He returns?”
We need this message now, even more than when he first wrote it decades ago!
We are in a very serious time. We can justify, excuse, or even try to legislate our compromises. But that doesn’t change the universal laws of God. When we try to change God, who cannot be changed, we move from under His covering and suffer the consequences. But when we come under the covering of the Lord, we find ourselves walking in the fullness of His blessings, His unmerited favor, and the supernatural peace, strength, and joy that the world cannot give or take away.
lucifer has always been a master of mesmerizing and entertaining. We cannot “choose the Lamb” while also choosing, by our silence, to be complicit in this type of demonic compromise in the name of entertainment or anything else.
As Elijah said to the people of Israel:
“’How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.” (I Kings 18:21 NKJV)
I believe the Lord is speaking to all of us right now to come honestly before the throne of grace, the mercy seat of God. As we humble ourselves as living sacrifices on the altar of God, it might break us; but it also breaks the flesh off of us. Then God can do a deeper work in us so He can do a work through us.
If we continue to run from Him, putting on those proverbial fig leaves and hiding, we will find ourselves wanting and ultimately exposed in nakedness—spiritual nakedness. That’s why we need to understand the dangers of becoming complicit to sin, compromising our convictions, and ultimately becoming seared of conscience and losing our love of truth. When this happens, we are uncovered.
We need to be covered by the Lord. We need the great, amazing, and abounding grace of God to give us hope and a vision of destination and purpose in our lives.
This is not a time for us to be complicit to sin—whether sins of commission (proactively or overtly committing sin) or the sins of omission (knowing to do right but not doing it)—from living in complacency or compromise. If our nation’s broken cisterns and foundations are to be fixed, then we, the Church, must awaken our hearts and get back to our spiritual moorings and biblical principles. To compromise our convictions is to sell our birthright and spiritual inheritance, like Esau did for a morsel of flesh.
THE SIDE OF THE LORD
With the advent of social media, it has become easier for many to express their thoughts, opinions, and feelings. We can give our two cents worth on every issue under the sun, yet at times we base those opinions on assumptions without facts, experience, or personal knowledge. Assumption, I was taught by the late Dr. Edwin Louis Cole, is the lowest form of knowledge.
There are times we can become so insulated from the crisis around us, the human suffering, and the needs of people, that we become indifferent. But we, as Christians, should be especially sensitive about how we express ourselves. Even in our strong disagreements, we can firmly and strongly disagree with others without being disrespectful and dishonoring.
Galatians 6:9-10 (NKJV) reminds us:
“Let us not grow weary while doing good. For in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are in the household of faith.”
God is no respecter of persons. His character, nature, word, and Spirit are unwavering. God is God, and we are not. It’s important for us to align our hearts with His, not to justify our actions or wants, according to the flesh. Just as the commander of the Lord’s Army said, we are here to represent the Lord.
Jesus is our Prince of Peace. He is our joy unspeakable. He is the hope that gives us direction and vision. The world may offer us a lot of slick marketing campaigns, like we see when people market a product or promote a politician. It all sounds good, until the light of the truth exposes them…
May I encourage you today to return to the simplicity of the Gospel! Get back to that place of prioritizing your focus and committment with the Lord, where you remember the joy of Your salvation. In that place, we can all walk in the fullness of His anointing, calling, and purposes in our generation.
Will we choose the Beast or the Lamb? To quote Joshua may we all say:
“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”