A hunter had his gun aimed at a large bear and was about ready to pull the trigger. Just then the bear spoke in a soft, soothing voice and said, “isn’t it better to talk than to shoot) Why don’t we negotiate the matter) What is it you want?” The hunter lowered his rifle and answered, “I would like a fur coat.” “That’s good,” said the bear. “I think that’s something we can talk about. All I want is a full stomach; maybe we can reach a compromise.” So they sat down to talk it over. A little while later the bear walked away alone. The negotiations had been successful. The bear had a full stomach, and the hunter had a new fur coat. The catastrophe of compromise!
Lot was a man known for his righteousness, but he made the mistake of moving into downtown Sodom. Perhaps he thought, “Maybe if I get chummy with these folks I’ll be to convert them.” Eventually Lot became a prominent figure in the city and sat with the Town Fathers at the city gate, even though his soul was vexed from day to day with the Sodomites’ unlawful deeds. In the course of time God could tolerate the city’s wickedness no longer and sent three angels to rescue Lot and his family. But Lot was hesitant to leave, until finally the angels had to lead him outside the city gate. It was then that God rained fire down from heaven and destroyed Sodom. Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt as she looked back at the city, and Lot’s own life ended in disgrace as his two daughters committed incest with him -in his old age. The catastrophe of compromise!
Modern Lots promote broad-minded tolerance, which is really peaceful coexistence with evil. In an effort to establish communion between light and darkness, they would have us fraternalize with unbelievers and false teachers until their manner of living and their doctrines become less and less objectionable. This slow, subtle process eventually desensitizes us to evil. Little by little, sin is made to appear less sinful until the light within us becomes darkness. But the Scriptures indicate that light has no communion with darkness. We are not to commune with it, but to conquer it, for “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
