The Circle of Compromise
“So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become adversaries to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” Judges 2:3
The children of Israel had been given the victory over the promised land – complete victory, but they had chosen to do things their own way and had failed to completely conquer the Canaanites. They had compromised their faith by intermarrying with the local people and had begun to worship their idol gods.
This was an affront to the God who had led them from Egypt and he announced that he would no longer give them the victory. That which they had been unwilling to overcome would become a snare to them. And so it was – the story of the Judges is one of compromise, repentance and more compromise!
As believers today we compromise our faith by our pursuit of that which we know is contrary to God’s will. If we continue to pursue these things God will allow them to become a snare to us. They will hinder our peace and enjoyment of our new life in Christ.
Each time the Israelites cried out to God he sent a judge to set them free. So too, when we cry out he sends his Spirit to help us.