This is submitted by Donna Cox (SaintDRC@aol.com)

Shutting The Door To Compromise
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As I was seeking the Lord, he began to show me a picture. He showed me a person riddled with disease, gasping for breath. This person appeared to be at deaths door. Then the Lord showed me a picture of a person vibrant with health, running towards the finish line.

The person lying at deaths door, chose a lifestyle of compromise. The person vibrant with health, chose a lifestyle of truth.

Unfortunately, compromise is not a contained disease. It infects the Christian world as well as the secular world. Far too many of our beloved Christian brothers and sisters now lie gasping for breath at death's door, instead of running their race to win, because they chose to open the door to compromise.

Let's face it, "lying spirits," and "spirits of deception," consistently target us with arena's for compromise.

Like ... Watching a few minutes of an R-rated program won't hurt, or you really want that new ____, (fill in the blank) so working those few extra hours ... weeks ... months ... years ... really won't matter to your family. And then, there is always ... You really don't need to pray now, you can do it later ... but later never comes!

The truth is, watching a few minutes of an R-rated program really can hurt you by opening the door to immorality. Just like selfishly preferring material goods instead of being available to fulfill your God-given responsibilities within your family, can lead to devastating developments. And we all know, putting God on hold, is "not" a good idea.

The funny thing is, compromise is not a one time deal. It keeps growing ... and GROWING! Watching a few minutes of the R-rated program isn't enough, so it quickly escalates into a few hours. Pretty soon, R-rated programs might become all you desire to watch. Material goods may soon become more important to you than actually having a family life. And you may find God no longer has top priority in your life, because of all the times you placed him on hold.

You see, compromise occurs when we know the "truth" but our flesh wants to do something else. And we let it! We get infected by choosing our comfort zone, instead of choosing God's will for us. Lying spirits and spirits of deception attack our flesh.

Matthew 26:41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." (NIV)

Yes, our bodies ... our flesh, is definitely weak. Fortunately, God has made a way out for us. We do not have to compromise.

I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (NIV)

We, those of us who fully belong to him, can choose to allow the Great Physician to use his wondrous scalpel of "truth" to cut out the infection, and free us from this trap.

John 8:31-:32 "To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)

I encourage you to join me in interceding for others, so they too can know the truth, and be set free. Let us begin.

Dear Heavenly Father, We come boldly before your throne. We come seeking Your Grace, Your Glory, Your Wisdom, and Your Truth. Open our eyes Lord, that we may see. Open our ears Lord, that we may hear. Open our hearts and our spirit's Lord that we may receive. Father as Your Written Word is spoken forth and penetrates our being, it becomes alive and even more magnified within us, as it fills us to completeness.

We pray Lord, all blinders be removed, so ones not only "see" but also possess the will and the courage to act upon it. Right now we come against the spirit of deception and all lying spirits. We bind you and render you powerless. We will no longer permit you to operate in our lives, nor the lives of our brothers and sisters. We speak directly to these foul spirits and say you have no power and no authority in our lives by the Power and the Blood of Jesus Christ. And we loose the Spirit of Truth, to dispel the darkness, revealing the hidden places of our flesh that we have not yet crucified.

Lord we ask for strength, for all those willing to repent and lay down their flesh. For those who are willing to step forth into Your Truth ... The "TRUTH That Will Set Them Free!"

Lord, we ask you grant them courage and strength to "act" upon that truth. Lord, may they no longer walk in their carnal nature, embracing deception, receiving lies, allowing and falling into temptation, and falling into the snare of compromise.

Lord, you are faithful, and we know those who keep their eyes and hearts turned towards you, and truly receive Your Word as truth, "will" receive Your Strength, and "will" walk boldly with all power and might, fully recognizing, pulling down, and defeating the strongholds that constantly surround them.

Thank You Lord, for equipping them to run their race to win. In Jesus Name we pray.... Amen.