Revelation 2:20: Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.
Jesus and His Word
No amount of loving and sacrificial works can compensate for tolerance of evil. The church was permitting a false prophetess to influence the people and lead them into compromise. It is interesting to contrast the churches at Ephesus and Thyatira. The Ephesian church was weakening in its love, yet faithful to judge false teachers; while the people in the assembly at Thyatira were growing in their love, but too tolerant of false doctrine. Both extremes must be avoided in the church. “Speaking the truth in love” is the biblical balance. Unloving orthodoxy and loving compromise are both hateful to God. 1
Jesus and His Ways
- Jesus, teach me to avoid all road that lead to compromise. – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” Psalm 1:1
- Jesus, teach me to love without compromising Your truth. – “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9
- Jesus, teach me that pleasing You is the best way to be free from the temptation to compromise. – “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
Jesus and His Work
Compromise begins with just one step in the wrong direction. – TWEET IT
Jesus and His Promise
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7–8
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 575). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.