Giving In to the Wicked
I think we underestimate the influence of godly people on our society. Those of us who know the Lord and try to do His will don't really realize how much what we do matters to other people and to our culture. However, Jesus told us that we are really significant. We are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. If our light is dimmed, it causes others to not be able to see the truth as well. If we do not preserve the things of the Lord, they will be forgotten.
The author of Proverbs made a great observation about this reality which applies to all of us, as believers. (Proverbs 25:26) "If the godly give in to the wicked, it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring." A fountain is supposed to be clean and wholesome water. If it is polluted by something, it can't fulfill its purpose. The spring is supposed to produce clean water for all to drink, but if someone throws mud into it, the water is no longer pure and good for the people. Let's take this truth and apply it to our lives.
When we who are godly give in to the wicked, it pollutes our lives. When we allow the sins of the wicked to affect us, we lose our purity and thus, we are not a clean fountain of truth and righteousness. We are not that much different from the ungodly people around us. They see the compromises we are making, and they have a reason not to follow the Lord. We are polluted and our lives are muddied by sin, so we harm our relationship with God, and we are not good witnesses to those who need the Lord.
Also, when the godly give in to the wicked, our society becomes degraded, too. We have to expect that the wicked will sin, and they will keep trying to sin more and more. This is natural for them, because they are influenced by their sinful nature which has not been put to death by being saved. Therefore, if we give in to them, there will be no restraints on sin. Our society will be more and more polluted by sins, and the waters everyone needs to be spiritually healthy will be muddied by our failure to stand strong for the Lord. I know we may be persecuted for staying godly in this world, but I pray we will all see how important that it is for us not to give in to the wicked.
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Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 26-30.