Compromising With The Devil
Lessons Learned From The Past
Exodus 8-10
Introduction
The Devil is a great "Compromiser" and if he can get us to compromise the truth, he is well pleased with that accomplishment.
When Moses was getting ready to lead Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the land of promise, the devil tried to make some "Compromises" with them, (Exodus 8-10).
We can learn a great deal by studying these "Compromises" offered to Moses.
The same compromises are being offered to God's people in this day and age.
THE COMPROMISE OF REMAINING IN THE WORLD
(Exodus 8: 25).
Notice - that Pharaoh (Devil) was willing for them to worship, but only if they would do it ". . . in the land."
Just don't go out of the country!
In our day the devil has no objection to us worshiping, just as long as we do not do it in the Lord's church.
He tries to get deluded people to think that it doesn't really make any difference!
God "Cannot" be worshiped acceptably in any Denomination.
Jesus said: "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth", (John 4:24).
YES - It really does make a difference how we worship God!
Worship according to the commandments of men, is vain worship, (Matthew 15:8-9).
How did Moses meet this "Compromise"?
Moses said they would sacrifice as the Lord would command, (Exodus 8:26-27).
Like Moses, we had better take heed lest we sacrifice the abomination of the sectarians to the Lord our God.
Moses was not going to offer just any old sacrifice to the Lord, (Exodus 8:27).
Do not offer to God in worship, that, which He has not authorized!
We must be guided by the commands of the Lord, because He is the one to be worshiped and to be pleased with the worship, (Hebrews 8:5).
THE COMPROMISE OF LUKEWARMNESS
(Exodus 8:28).
When Pharaoh saw that Moses was determined to go, he said: ". . . only ye shall not go very far away",
Oh . . . how familiar that sounds!
When we go into the church of our Lord, the devil does not want us to go very far.
He would like for us to keep one foot, at least, in the world.
If we must be in the church, the devil wants us to be "Worldly Christians."
He wants us to believe there is no harm in "missing the assemblies."
He wants us to believe there is no harm in "a little innocent, immodest dress."
He wants us to believe there is no harm in "a little social drinking."
He wants us to believe there is no harm in "a little gambling.“
YES - If the devil can get us to compromise in this, he knows very well that he has us!
The Lord has a lot of "Enemies" right in the church.
They are the friends of the world.
And a friend of the world is an enemy of God, (James 4:4; 1:27; Titus 2:11-12).
Christians must keep themselves out of these worldly, compromising positions.
THE COMPROMISE OF UNDEDICATED FAMILIES
(Exodus 10:8-11).
And again the devil offered another compromise to Moses. He said, ". . . go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire."
Did you catch that? - The men could go, but they were to leave their little ones.
The devil doesn't want us to ". . . bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord", (Ephesians 6:4).
All too often, the Television spends more time raising the kids than the parents do.
He wants us to "Leave" the little ones!
They are too young to go to the meeting, anyway!
He convinces us that they just might distract others trying to worship.
Don't take them to Bible class, just leave them at home to run the streets!
They have too much home-work to do, so we leave them at home.
They have a ball-game, and they can't let the team down!
YES - If the devil can get us to compromise in this, he knows he has us!
The devil does not want us to "Teach" the word of God to our children.
If dad and mother must study the Bible, all right; but don't bother the children!
The Bible is too hard for them to understand, (Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Judges 2:7-10).
Please Lord! - Give us members, who, like Moses ". . . will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters", (Exodus 10:9).
The children of "Today" are the church of "Tomorrow."
They must be brought in the faith, (Joshua 24:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:14-17).
We should teach them by precept and example, (1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 1:13).
THE COMPROMISE OF UNDEDICATED LIVELIHOODS
(Exodus 10:24).
Notice - the devil offers this one last compromise. He said, ". . . Go ye, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed."
If the devil can just get us to leave our "stuff", he has us.
We can go to every service, including Bible Study, but do not use our possessions to advance the kingdom of heaven.
Pile up the money in the bank, but do not put it to work for the salvation of souls.
YES - If the devil can get us to think this way, he has us just where he wants us!
How did Moses meet this "Compromise"?
Moses made no compromise with Pharaoh (Devil), but said, "Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither", (Exodus 10:26).
That is the spirit that will take man to heaven.
We must lay "Everything" we have at the feet of the Master.
All that we are, is to be given as a sacrifice unto the Lord, (2 Corinthians 8:1-5).
YES - I know it takes money to buy food, clothing, and shelter; but are we really purposing in our hearts when we give on the first day of the week? - (1 Corinthians 16:2)
Paul said, "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.",
(2 Corinthians 8:12.)
Brethren, the only money we are really saving is what we are putting into the work of the Lord, (1 Timothy 6:10, 17-19).
Conclusion
Remaining In The World and not willing to give it up, Luke-warmness, Being undedicated---will keep us out of heaven.
Do not make any "Compromises With The Devil", because he will ensnare you and destroy your soul, (I Peter 5:8).
If you need to correct your life as a Christian or obey the gospel, "PLEASE COME."

By Carey Scott from an outline by Allen Shepherd

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