As is often the case, life lessons are much clearer in hindsight. Peer pressure, acceptance, and tolerance all contribute to moral erosion.

Life Lesson #7 – Personal resolve slowly dissolves by wavering from “I won’t” to “I can’t” to “okay.”

But the man of God said to the king, “If you were to give me half your house, I would not go in with you; nor would I eat bread nor drink water in this place. For so it was commanded me by the word of the LORD.’” (1 Kings 13:8)

He said [to the old prophet], “I cannot return with you nor go in with you; neither can I eat bread nor drink water with you in this place. For I have been told by the word of the Lord, ‘You shall not eat bread nor drink water there, nor return by going the way you came.’” (1 Kings 13:16-17)

He went back with him, and ate bread in his house, and drank water. (1 Kings 13:19)

Our man of God started so strongly and courageously. He boldly refused the king’s offer. But then an interesting dynamic occurred. The old prophet said what the man of God wanted to hear. “I’m just like you, man! I can relate. And I’m here to tell you it’s okay to compromise with me. You’ve come a long way, you’re tired, hot, and hungry. I’m sure God understands. We’re in this together.” By listening to a commiserating person, instead of staying resolute, the man of God lost his resolve and disobeyed God.

Following God in complete obedience involves a freewill choice in both the initial decision and all subsequent decisions and life situations. As in Lesson #1 at the beginning of this series, starting strong is wonderful. But remaining strong is far better.

Examples Not to Follow

God’s Word not only tells us what to do, it also warns against what not to do. By not making up our minds to follow and obey God’s Word, we become vulnerable to compromise and missing God’s blessing. Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, ruled wickedly “because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD” (2 Chronicles 12:14).

Godly King Jehoshaphat did many good things in bringing spiritual revival to the land of Israel. Yet some of the pagan places of worship remained because, “as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 20:33). God blessed them while the king ruled. Then His judgment fell because He does not tolerate any trace of sin or disobedience to His Word.

Examples to Follow

May the good Lord pardon everyone who prepares his heart to seek God (2 Chronicles 30:18-19).

We have several excellent examples in Scripture. Even in his early teens, Daniel, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8). He made up his mind and never deviated from it even though he risked his life doing so. No compromise.

The prophet Ezra, who led a group of exiles back into the land of Israel, wanted to teach them God’s forgotten Word. He diligently “prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it” (Ezra 7:10). This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision to help him during that specific time. This was a determined, deliberate choice to find, follow, and teach God’s Word.

The ultimate example to follow is Jesus. Though He asked His Father three times if there would be any other way than for Him to take our sin onto Himself, yet He surrendered. “Not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). Keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Him, we understand His resolute mindset. “For the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).

Is God a killjoy? No, He knows the nasty effect of sin. Although we may think it brings freedom, it only brings bondage, addiction, and judgment. Even when we start strong, and make the resolution to read God’s Word, submit to His authority, and apply His moral standard to our lives, the temptation remains to move from a courageous “I won’t” to a wistful “I shouldn’t” to “Oh, why not.” Walking, standing, sitting. The pressure to give in and fit in grows with today’s “acceptance and tolerance” mindset. But we must stand strong.

Moral erosion subtly occurs over time as we weaken our stances and grow more tolerant and accepting of human opinions instead of God’s clear Word. Only a determined, deliberate pursuit of God’s holiness, daily dying to self and fleshly desires, and surrender to the Holy Spirit’s transformation overcomes sin’s subtle corrosion. May we determine to follow God and His Word, no matter the pressure, circumstance, or cost. More than New Year’s resolutions, may these life lessons encourage us to decide to obey God wholeheartedly, and then stick to it through the energizing power of His Holy Spirit.

 Nate’s book, Called to Christlikeness, not Christianity – Purchase here.

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Nate Stevens.

Featured Image by Lars Nissen from Pixabay

SURRENDERED

YIELDING TO GOD’S PERFECT WILL

by NATE STEVENS

NEW RELEASE – NOW AVAILABLE!

LEARN MORE | BUY

CHRIST IN ME 30-DAY DEVOTIONAL SERIES

By NATE STEVENS

CLICK ON EACH BOOK TO LEARN MORE, DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE, OR BUY.

About the Author

A lifelong student of Scripture, Nate Stevens has also enjoyed a banking career in a variety of leadership roles. He is the author of Matched 4 Life and Deck Time with Jesus as well as a contributing author on several of the Moments Books (Billy Graham Moments, Divine Moments, Spoken Moments, Christmas Moments, Stupid Moments, Cool-inary Moments, etc.). He writes online devotionals for ChristianDevotions.us and SingleMatters.com as well as articles for several other publications. Additionally, he leads Fusion, a Christian singles ministry he co-founded. A popular speaker and teacher at conferences, seminars and Bible study groups, he speaks on a wide variety of topics. He currently lives near Charlotte, North Carolina, with his beautiful wife, Karen, and is a proud dad of two awesome kids, Melissa and Mitchell.

Bio & Posts

Visit Store