DO NOT HANG AROUND OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPROMISE 

When my parents were trying to introduce us to fasting, it was a tall order for me in particular. I found displeasure in the month of August. We had this annual pre-convention fast. To make matters worse, it was summer break (long vacation). Fasting is tougher at such times. 

I would try my best to fast, but I would visit our neighbours because I wanted to waste time. That is where the temptation begins. They always had bread on the kitchen slab; you can eat without asking. On such days, I would try hard, but it seemed the bread was always waiting for me to rescue it. 

Initially, when I ate the bread, I would take a little and feel bad that I did not fast. But after a while, I went to my neighbour’s home, knowing that I would eat that bread and pretend later in the prayer meeting like we all fasted. 

If you hang around compromise, you will compromise. If you hang around opportunities to sin, you will most likely sin. Hidden in the powerful account of the journey of men and women of faith is a statement that should warn us about hanging around opportunities that can derail us in life and destiny.

Hebrews 11:15 NKJV

[15] And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 

If you create opportunities, you will always compromise. Self-control is easier when you are disciplined enough not to be careless and hang around the pit. If you go where you will be tempted, do not be surprised that you are tempted. You created an opportunity to be tempted.  

This is the worst part- the taste of compromise lingers and still draws you at any slight opportunity. If you are not careful, it becomes your default. It became easier to sneak in and eat bread after a while.

Sometimes, you become so weak in resisting that you no longer consider any barriers. You have lost that sense of shame. You do not have to sneak to compromise. You are now a daring compromiser.

Run as fast as you can from anything or anyone that weakens your defence. Run! Do not wait to explain. Do not try to test the waters. Run. If you have ever been trapped in compromise, do not stay around to check anything out, run! 

Do not hang around opportunities that weaken your conviction, commitment and consecration. If you stay too long around Delilah, you will soon become the enemy’s dinner. Run! 

The proof that you are strong in some temptation is to run. Do not try to explain. Just run!