The Guardian (Nigeria)

Shun Compromise And Self- will ( 1) Springs Of Wisdom

- By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi

GOD does not want compromise and self- will in His Church. At all times and in all places, the Almighty God, who exalts His word above His name, stands by His word. God hates deviation, compromise, diluting or modificati­on of His word. He does not plant compromise in believers’ heart; Satan is the source of these vices. If we love God and fear His judgment, we would examine ourselves to find out if there is compromise and self- will in our lives and ask Him to uproot them.

Nothing else represents God on earth except the Church. It shows His glory and praises. Therefore, if anything would cause compromise and self- will in the church, God would do everything to up root it because of His love, the sacrifice of His only begotten Son and His purpose for the Church, as well as the triumph of truth over error. “But he answered and said, every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.”

The reason God raises individual evangelist­s, preachers, prophets, pastors and ministers, as well as churches is to “set ( them) over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” Compromise and self- will must be rooted out, pulled down and destroyed in our midst. Leaders of the church must take a firm stand against compromise and self- will, to be able to build and plant something of substance in the lives of members, for the Lord.

The Scripture cautions against compromise and self- will in believers’ lives. “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” The word of God has a cleansing, transforma­tional and renewing power. As we come to believe on the Lord, we must keep learning from the Word until we get to the point we are establishe­d in the faith. We must get to a level we are “no more children ( in understand­ing, conviction, practice and emotion), tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.”

The admonition against compromise and self- will comes to all ¬ — young and old, men and women, rich or poor, members or visitors, workers and leaders — because anyone can become a prey, especially those who think they can manage themselves. We must stand on the unchanging truth of the word of God that we have learnt “lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfuln­ess of sin.” Self- will will ruin anyone who indulges in it.

• Further reading ( King James Version): Matthew 15: 13; Jeremiah 1: 10; Song of Solomon 2: 15; Ephesians 4: 14; Hebrews 13: 9; Proverbs 1: 10; 1 Kings 18: 21; Hebrews 3: 12- 14.

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