Crisis: Consider the Catastrophic Consequence of Compromise

Christians typically understand that crises are common occurrences in a fallen and broken world. However, the critical mistake we often make is ignoring the serious ramifications that result from them. That leads to complacency, which leaves us thinking that we are not likely to do the sorts of things that would cause crises to arise in our lives.

But all sin-fueled escapades come with loads of built-in regret on the other side of the climax. Once the tension is released and we’ve regained our scruples, we are left with the devastating work of reaping what we’ve sown. Enter crisis.

There is no shortage of crisis-filled examples associated with sexual immorality. Here are five examples of crises related to sexual sin:

• Conscience: When you venture into new areas of sin, you distinctly feel its amplified twinges. But the more you persist in waywardness, the more desensitized your conscience becomes. When you’re not walking uprightly, you steer clear of holy activities because they awaken feelings of guilt and conviction that you’re seeking to suppress.
• Moral Authority: Imagine discovering that a man you’re close to is ensnared in the clutches of sexual immorality. You know that he respects you enough to listen to your counsel and input, but if you are habitually engaging in the same sin, how can you exhort him to repent?
• Leadership Capacity: You remove yourself from leadership when you squelch your ability to exert influence because of secret or public sexual sin. Living in rebellion against God kills your integrity, vision, passion, and voice. And without these, you won’t want to lead anyone, and no one will want to follow you.
• Witness: Unbelievers often accuse Christians of hypocrisy. Why would they want to be Christians if their experience with you differs from whom you claim to be? Also, when you give in to sexual immorality, the last thing you want to do is proclaim the Gospel to others.
• Joy: As readily available as joy is to those with the Spirit in them, you can suppress your ability to experience that joy by choosing to indulge in sin, grieving the Holy Spirit.

The wise Christian will contemplate these crises and be determined to learn from them, using this knowledge as a deterrent to sexual sin. Complacency is a tragic error that the believer must avoid at all costs. Therefore, determine to exclaim to yourself, Crisis: consider the catastrophic consequences of compromise.

Dear Lord, when I face temptations, remind me what’s at stake and keep me from complacency.