Winter was coming. A hunter went into the woods, hoping to find a bear from which he could make a warm coat. As he quietly moved through the snow-covered forest, he spotted a bear coming toward him. He raised his gun and took aim.
“Wait!” the bear said, “why do you want to shoot me?”
The hunter replied, “Because I’m cold.”
“Well, I’m hungry,” said the bear. “Maybe we can come to an agreement.”
And they did. In the end, the bear was well-fed—and the hunter was well-covered in the bear’s fur.
That’s compromise. And compromise with sin never ends well.
We don’t usually walk straight into destruction. No one wakes up and decides, “Today, I think I’ll ruin my life.” But small compromises—what we allow, what we excuse, what we justify—can eventually cost us everything.
Compromise with sin is always a negotiation with death. It will take you farther than you meant to go, keep you longer than you meant to stay, and cost you more than you meant to pay.
We justify compromise by saying:
- “It’s not that big of a deal.”
- “I’m not hurting anyone.”
- “Nobody will ever know.”
- “Other people are doing worse.”
- “God wants me to be happy.”
- “I’m a good person.”
But compromise is simply changing the question to fit the answer you already want. It’s not about truth—it’s about permission.
In Revelation 2, Jesus addresses the church in Pergamum. Pergamum was the cultural capital of Asia, a city marked by idolatry, emperor worship, and spiritual confusion. Jesus calls it “where Satan’s throne is.” But Jesus isn’t rebuking the culture around the church—He’s confronting what’s happening inside the church.They were tolerating compromise. They were holding fast to Jesus publicly, but tolerating false teaching and sinful behavior privately. Like the Old Testament story of Balaam, where corruption came not through attack but seduction, the people of God were being slowly drawn away from faithfulness.
And Jesus has one word for it: Repent.
Jesus still has a problem with compromise.nJesus wasn’t vague. He called out two areas specifically: idolatry and sexual immorality.
Idolatry is when we give our hearts to anything other than God—whether it’s success, pleasure, comfort, or even our own opinion. At its core, idolatry is self-worship. We become our own god, and compromise is the price we’re willing to pay to protect that idol.
Sexual immorality is likewise a direct attack on the character of God. Scripture is clear: sex is a gift from God for marriage between a man and a woman (Genesis 1–2, Ephesians 5). It’s sacred because it’s designed to reflect Christ’s relationship with the Church. To treat it as a mere social issue is to dishonor God’s glory and degrade the cross of Christ. We may not bow to Zeus, but the idols of lust, comfort, and self-rule are just as real.
Compromise doesn’t usually begin with scandal. It starts with silence. It’s a slow fade (Hebrews 2:1). The warning signs are subtle:
- Skipping community to pursue comfort.
- Justifying a habit because others do it.
- Numbing your conscience because you’ve grown used to the darkness.
And slowly, the ship of your life starts drifting. Not a 180° turn. Just one degree. Barely noticeable. But over time, you’re miles away from where God intended you to be.That’s why Jesus speaks with urgency: “Repent, or I will come to you with the sword of My mouth.” (Revelation 2:16)
Repentance isn’t just feeling sorry. It’s a change of mind that leads to a change of direction. Jesus doesn’t just call us to stop sinning—He calls us to start fighting.
You cannot defeat what you refuse to acknowledge.nYou cannot be free while keeping sin a secret.
If you’re stuck in compromise:
- Confess your sin to someone: a pastor, spouse, mentor, or small group leader.
- Cut off access to temptation. Take radical action.
- Commit to community and accountability.
Jesus introduces Himself to Pergamum as the One with the sharp, double-edged sword—the Word of God. He is the final authority. He doesn’t negotiate with sin. He defeats it. To the one who overcomes, He promises hidden manna (sustaining grace) and a white stone with a new name (secure identity). That promise is still available today—for those who will repent and return.
Satan’s strategy hasn’t changed: if he can’t destroy the church with persecution, he’ll divide it with compromise. If he can’t lead you into rebellion, he’ll settle for getting you just one degree off.
But Jesus knows. And He calls us back.
“I know where you live.”
“I know what you’ve allowed.”
“I know what it’s costing you.”
Now repent. Before you’re consumed.
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MichaelStovall 