Relationships require compromise every now and again because frankly, God did not create robots or clones—we are all unique individuals, divinely fashioned in our mother’s wombs—and every one of us views life from a different angle. There is one relationship, though, where compromise just does not work (no matter how hard we try to push our own agendas), and that is with our Creator, God.

Our Father has given us a book, highly contested by skeptics, yet treasured by those who recognize this amazing gift of the Holy Spirit, spoken through about 40 different men with unique perspectives over a period of 1600 years.

To those whose minds are being renewed through the study of God’s Word and the infilling of the Holy Spirit there is no doubt that conflict will always exist between the cultures of this world and the culture of heaven. It would serve us well to examine failures of God’s chosen people and recognize where God’s people today can make the same mistakes and slip into the same practices as the children of Israel did long ago.

There are two areas of transgression characterizing this ancient people: idolatry (Jeremiah 16:10, 11), and rebellion (Hebrews 3:12-18). Lest we think that idolatry only existed long ago and involved images made of gold, silver, stone, or wood, it is important to remember that when we harbor covetousness, or offer homage or reverent honor to anyone, anything, or any ideal apart from God and the truth revealed in His Word, we are giving credence to types of idolatry.

Rebellion is obvious within our society—resistance to or defiance of God’s authority; where it becomes a problem for God’s people is when we think that perhaps we are exemptions to God’s established principles of righteousness, revealed throughout the Bible. I have been there, done that, and can say with confidence that it does not work! We are mistaken to believe, though, that it is within ourselves to live righteous lives apart from God, for only God at work in our hearts will enable the necessary changes for us to become pleasing to Him (Philippians 4:13).

We need to remember that God has an enemy (who is not even close to be on equal footing with our heavenly Father because God is eternal and omnipotent and satan and his cohorts are created beings who chose to defy their Creator) who is at war with God’s people (Revelation 12:17). Satan has had thousands of years to become skillful in attacking Christians so we must be wise to his tactics and subterfuge. In the biblical record of the fall of mankind from relationship with God, and when Satan confronted Jesus in the wilderness, he cast doubt on the clear intention of God’s words, and twisted their purpose to present a delusion that God did not intend. He uses the same tactics today. …which is why it is essential that we surrender our hearts to the same Holy Spirit who spoke to those who transcribed scripture centuries ago.

The apostle Paul warns, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths” (2 Timothy 4:3, 4). Peter cautions, “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:15-18).

Taking a stand for truth and righteousness is neither easy nor popular, particularly in a society that rebelliously alienates itself from God. The enemy, working through those who are antagonistic towards Jesus and His followers, does everything within his realm of expertise to intimidate, discourage, condemn, frustrate, and belittle those who put their confidence in the Word of God—we cannot be surprised that the enemy slanders Christians because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

The best way to respond to our accusers is as Jesus did when He was on trial for His life—He did not speak a word in His own defense; rather, He stated His identity (Son of Man) and His rank (at the right hand of Power – Matthew 26:62-64). Through the redemptive work of Jesus we become sons and daughters of God, heirs of His kingdom (Galatians 4:4-7); and from that place of security, our new identities become apparent: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy’. But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:43-45).