The DecisionSample

Day 1: Temptation: making a decision vs. making a compromise 

Wande touches on the visceral realities that accompany our decision to walk with Jesus in her song “Bad news.” The word “decision” comes from the Latin word meaning “to cut off.” When you make a decision, you cut off all other alternatives. Many times God calls us to get rid of something, to cut something out of our lives completely. But rather than go through the pain of severing ties, we prefer the comfort of a compromise. 

Sin usually starts off with a compromise. The benefits of the shortcuts that sin provides seem so immediate. Sinful compromise is extra loud about the pros but deceptively quiet about the cons. Inevitably, though, the repercussions percolate to the surface of our lives, bringing along bad news. 

Consider the story of Sarah and Hagar. Sarah, whose name meant  “princess,” was a free woman. God had promised both Abraham and Sarah that together they would conceive a child but both were elderly, and Sarah was barren. Years progressed without a child, so Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands. 

Instead of waiting for God’s promise, Sarah compromised and tried to have a child using her servant Hagar as a surrogate. But Sarah didn’t realize all the bad news her compromise would bring: discord, jealousy, abuse, and child abandonment. Though Hagar was her bondservant, it was the free woman who ended up enslaved to feelings of envy, inadequacy, and enmity.   

Nevertheless God was faithful to both women.

The antidote to the bad news of our sin is the good news of the Gospel. Rather than a cautionary tale replete with compromises, Jesus lived a life that was full of God’s promises. We can receive those promises too. But there are no shortcuts. When God calls us to make a decision, settling for a compromise won’t cut it. 

Meditate on the following scripture: They promise them freedom but they themselves are slaves to corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19 (5 minutes) 

Read the story of Sarah and Hagar. (Genesis 16 & Genesis 21) (30 minutes) 

Reflect on the following: (10 minutes)

1. Where in life are you tempted like Sarah to compromise what the Holy Spirit has said to you and in God’s word? Is it in your career? Your love life? Your behavior? Your ministry, or elsewhere?
2. If you are finding it difficult to resist sin, pray this simple prayer and listen for what the Holy Spirit says: Lord God, I confess that I’m being tempted to compromise instead of trusting the promises of your word. Bless me with wisdom and discernment to understand that sin can never procure what you promise me for free in Christ. As you opened Hagar’s eyes, open my eyes to your presence and provision, and also your truth, so that I won’t be deceived.  

I would love to hear your reflection answers! Text them to me: 404-495-7729

Listen to “Bad news.”