Compromise
Heartprints

Compromise has Consequences

Gen 19-21 One of the hardest lessons for children to learn is that of boundaries and the consequences of compromise. We can take a lesson right out of scripture to teach these hard lessons to our little ones.

God established boundaries for the land and for the people. In fact, after the colossal blunder of Adam and Eve and their compromise regarding God’s established boundary, He graciously put angelic forces at the entrance lest they seek to return. God graciously puts boundaries around us as well.

In the book of Genesis, God uses a hard lesson for Lot to teach us the consequences of compromising our principles. Like Lot, we often compromise to suit our preferences which is saying we want it our way, not God’s way. It only takes one step to make the next easier. It is like ignoring a crack in a wall and putting off the correction, thinking no more significant damage will happen. But, look at Joseph, who determined, “How could I do such a great evil and sin against God,” [Gen 39:9] Children need to learn that each wrong step, each compromise is a sin against God and the contrast is also true.

Lot compromised his integrity. Lot decided to look with his eyes just as Eve had. That one step led to him moving from the land where his sheep were grazing to the city of Sodom. He then became part and parcel of that city. Then Lot offered his daughters to enraged men, and later his drunkenness led to incest. Did Lot realize what he had done? It seems he did, yet just as with us, the sin of compromise has consequences that we often don’t realize until too late, just like the crack in the wall. And if that crack is not fixed, it will just get wider and wider until the wall collapses just like the life of Lot collapsed.

Yet, even in this sordid tale, we see that God saw the heart of Lot and He honored the prayer of Abraham to save the righteous. [2 Pet 2:7; James 5:15] Children can learn that God puts boundaries and He puts prayer warriors around us to protect us. Abraham asked God to save the righteous. God heard, and He saved Lot even though he had not obeyed the boundaries. How often does God do that for us? Children need an Abraham to pray for them so that they do not compromise their godly principles.

Take time with each child to bless their “Abraham’s” who are praying for them; for God to help them obey the boundaries, and lastly, that they do not compromise.

Coordinator of the Heartprints Blog Page: Gaye-Ellen Austin or SonShine has a passion to train people to be successful Bible students, following the words of Paul to his protégé Timothy: “ entrust to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well.” (2 Tim 2:2). She taught 15 years in public schools and 12 years in a Christian school where she was coordinator of the NILD program for learning disabled students. She has taught Precept upon Precept classes and was a discussion group leader for 10+ yrs. in BSF in Daytona Beach. Fl. and Atlanta, GA. Also, Gaye-Ellen is the writer for the https://www.facebook.com/bible.org/ She also has her own personal blog page: https://sonshinesjournal.com/ David is a full time director for Bible.org as well as his secular job. He and Gaye-Ellen along with their son, Dr. Mark Austin, daughter-in-law, Dr. Blanca Austin and granddaughter Christina (https://christinaaustinlopez.com.) live in the Dallas area. Gaye-Ellen's goal is to present Christ and live Christ glorifying God. One of her favorite verses about the role as parents, teachers, and adults for the next generation comes from Psalm 78:4, "but tell to the generation to come the praises of the Lord."

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