If you are making a deal with the devil, you lose. Even if the devil makes concessions so you get a little of what you want, you lose.

God is love, says John. Love is the greatest of faith, hope, and love, says Paul. Love is so obvious and necessary that the devil cannot deny it. So the devil dirties up the word and uses for everything from Walmart bread to sparkly stones. But it’s not love. The word that describes God’s action to rescue sinful man is being co-opted every day to sell songs and automobiles. But is it love? No.

Where is the middle ground between good and evil? Where is the middle ground between freedom and tyranny? Where is the compromise between love and lust? Where is the middle ground between truth and pragmatism? Where is the middle ground between left and right? My point is obvious, I hope, that much that is called compromise and fairplay is really the giving up of ground on what is right, true, and decent.

“1 How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the law of the LORD. 2 How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. 3 They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways. 4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we should keep them diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. 7 I shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments. 8 I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me utterly!” – Psalm 119

When it comes to marriage, it might be for love or it might be nothing but lust. A person who marries is entering the second most important covenant he or she can. If God is not smack dab in the middle of it, it’s got a slim chance of succeeding in the basis of love. When you forgive and do good to others, it might be for love or it might just be selfish interest. Love, pure and mingled with truth is the only way to ensure a lifelong marriage that becomes the foundation for happy children.

There is no compromising the word of God. The only way to be true is to do true. But the devil and his children in the world do not like the commandments of God and often the world will make a deal the children of God that requires silence or compromise. God cannot be reduced to apply to every belief. Love cannot be stuck on every commercial tagline. If we stand for truth, there is simply no dealing with the devil and his children. And when the devil dirties up what is true and good, recognize it and give no ground to it.

It’s good if we serve others or bake our bread with love, but just make sure it’s real and not just one more manipulation from the devil.

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