THE TRUTH ABOUT: Compromise
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:4–7 (ESV) And the herald proclaimed aloud, “You are commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. And whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace.” Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, all the peoples, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Compromise:
Good: to settle a dispute by mutual concession
Bad: to accept standards that are lower than desirable
Very Bad: to embrace standards below God’s expressed will
COMPROMISE IS MORE THAN A SIN. SIN IS AN ACTION, WHILE COMPROMISE IS A COURSE OF ACTION.
Daniel 3,4 - Babylon lead by Nebuchadnezzar
Spiritually dark time.
Like America, the King's world was influenced by corrupt politicians, business leaders, social elites, judges, dark priests, and people from academia with a few godly people in the mix.
In Babylon were people of Israel, human trafficked into Babylon by the government. Some of their finest were elevated to political prominence
Daniel 2:49 (ESV) Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the king’s court.
God will promote you and use you to influence your world in spite of the evil around you!
Their presence made influential people jealous, but more likely, agitated the demons that influenced the people of influence.
Neb set up an image ninety feet tall
Daniel 3:4 Gathered the nation so when the music kicked on, everyone was to bow down and worship the image.
People participated on various levels:
As a group, everyone participated wholeheartedly.
Internally, people participated for various reasons
All in on idolatry
Afraid of losing job
Desire for promotion
Meet the expectations of their sub-group
Crowd pressure
Virtue signaling - good people do this
Afraid of the furnace
There were hold-outs, and hold-outs were dealt with.
Daniel 3:8 (ESV) Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews.
Daniel 3:12 (ESV) There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men, O king, pay no attention to you; they do not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Brought before Neb
Daniel 3:13 (ESV) Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king.
Daniel 3:15 (ESV) Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?”
The Furnace: A Place Of Decision
A demand for compromise leading to safety from destruction
And invitation for obedience the leads to promotion
Common Furnaces Of Compromise:
Individuals, groups, organizations and communities.
Instead of influencing them, they influence you
Require ongoing compromise
They strip you bare.
You may survive but you will not thrive.
Activities contrary to scripture
Addictions
Anger
Unforgiveness
Cultural attitudes, values and practices
Things our culture embraces that occasionally demand our participation and celebration.
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone committing suicide
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate someone having an abortion
I would not attend a ceremony to celebrate two men getting married.
I would not attend
Circumstances
Miserable marriage
Poverty finances
Poor health
Family Torment
Generational sin
Compromise Will
Provide escape from the furnace, offer quick rewards that will not last
Invite and permit unforeseen trappings to reside in your life
damage your relationship with God, micro at first, macro when it is in full bloom
Corrupt, over time, things He’s already done/given you
Limit future experiences/promotions
Camouflage the touch of God on your life
His touch, his presence makes you different than others
It makes you attractive to others
It makes people want what you have
Compromise causes you to blend in
Things That Will Not Break The Stronghold Of Compromise:
Wishing for something different
Praying for things to be different
Admission of Mistakes
Sorrow For Sin
Asking For Forgiveness
Facing Compromise: DECLARE // RENOUNCE
Daniel 3:16–18 (ESV) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Isaiah 43:1–3 (ESV) But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.