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October 6, 2005
"Defeating Compromise"
Paul Keith Davis
White Dove Ministries
www.whitedoveministries.org
Clearly this nation and the church are presently going
through a great shaking. Naturally, our first question is to understand the Holy
Spirit's objective during this season. What do we need to gleam from these tests
and trials?
As I have been asking the Lord this question, I was reminded of a prophetic
article that Bob Jones and I brought several years ago. Much of our ministry has
been centered on understanding prior moves of the Spirit to discover what was
done properly and what caused the downfall of many.
According to Hebrews 13:7, we should study and contemplate the lives of our
spiritual fathers and examine carefully the conduct of their actions. We are
given the admonition to imitate their faith because Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:7-8). If we meet the Lord on the same
conditions of faith as our fathers, then He will do through us what He did
through them and much more.
Many noble qualities exemplified the men and women who went before us. They were
great pioneers and forerunners who paved the way for us to enjoy the many
spiritual benefits we hold dear. Nevertheless, we also learn historically that
every prior revival has been lost or never fully accomplished its original
mandate.
Scrutiny of these revivals will highlight one principal spirit of a diabolical
nature that has facilitated this demise. It can simply be identified as the
"spirit of compromise."
It is our belief that a portion of this present shaking is intended to help us
address this undermining snare so that the Spirit's release that is coming can
be perpetually sustained.
A Graveyard of Warriors
In Bob's original vision, he saw many churches and spiritual movements
allegorically portrayed as powerful warring women who had won many notable
victories. Even so, he also discovered they came to an untimely demise. He was
taken to a graveyard that held the remains of this army of God. Clearly, their
lives had been taken prematurely without the full accomplishment of their
destiny, and Bob's mission was to discover how such a thing could occur.
The churches portrayed in Bob's revelation had been mightily anointed. They had
won great victories on behalf of their Bridegroom. Even though these "women"
were incredible warriors, something tragic had occurred to precipitate their
demise. How could such a powerful, warlike clan end with such violence and
certainty, as characterized in the graveyard Bob observed?
This resulted from unknowingly embracing the spirit of compromise that
facilitated the substitution of the spirit of this world instead of the Holy
Spirit. What the enemy could not accomplish in head-to-head battle, he easily
achieved through this deceptive snare.
This is actually the same strategy that Balaam utilized against Israel. When he
was unsuccessful in cursing God's chosen people, he altered his approach. What
he could not perpetuate in direct confrontation he easily accomplished through
stumbling blocks and snares facilitated through compromise.
It is our present intent to again highlight this blueprint of the enemy in hopes
of strengthening the church with the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that our
heritage is not lost in this generation. The New Testament reminds us of this
demonic strategy from the spirit of Balaam in both Jude and the book of
Revelations. It is a battle that we must learn to win.
Work In Daylight; Rest At Night
Prophetically, there are appropriate times and seasons in God. There is a time
to sow and then a time to reap; a time for working and then a time for rest.
"There is an appointed time
for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to give
birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted. A
time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up."
-- Ecclesiastes 3:1-3
Logistically, the church has not been very efficient in
recognizing these seasons. As a result, we expose ourselves to the spirit of
this world and end up compromising our standards when we do not adjust with the
ebb and flow of God's Spirit. There is a way that seems right and appropriate to
man's reasoning, but the end is destruction.
"We must work the works of Him
who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work."
-- John 9:4
Spiritually speaking, the day is the proper time for
work–-night is not. This is the general and universal sentiment related to the
release of spiritual light into a grossly dark generation. While the day lasts
it is proper to labor.
In Bob's vision he saw Churches represented as noble women who had fought
gallantly during daylight hours. However, they grew weary and impatient waiting
upon their Bridegroom and eventually ventured out during the "night hours" and
entered into promiscuity.
They had grown weary waiting upon their Bridegroom to fulfill His promises to
her. Unwisely, they had joined themselves to men (who represented the spirit of
this world or human reasoning) whose initial appearance seemed good and
beneficial but whose heart was evil. This resulted in spiritual assassination
when these women least expected it. However, the question remained, "What led
them to such an inadvisable decision?" Of course, this is an allegorical
depiction of spiritual realities.
After making these few observations, Bob desired to depart the graveyard that
was actually a shrine to commemorate our enemy's victories. However, before he
could do so, a very naturally appealing, "smooth-talking" man approached him.
This man confronted Bob with the confidence and assurance of a professional
salesperson. He explicitly displayed a mastery of the human language and could
easily deceive someone with this gift. No doubt this is the way Satan approached
the Lord Jesus during the 40 day wilderness temptation.
Immediately, Bob asked this man his identity. The man responded by identifying
himself as compromise. It was compromise that was responsible for the death of
these powerful women. They had compromised the genuine for a counterfeit. They
had substituted the revealed word of God for the traditions of man.
"And He (Jesus) said to them,
'Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: "THIS PEOPLE
HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO
THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN." Neglecting the
commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.'" --
Mark 7:6-8
But the Spirit explicitly says
that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to
deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars
seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron." -- 1 Timothy
4:1-2
Despite the women's powerful attributes and their numerous
victories, their strength was no match for compromise. Compromise will always
destroy the most powerful of warriors.
Samson was the most anointed man of his day; yet compromise in one small area of
his life cost him the anointing and the many victories that could have been
achieved had he remained faithful. It was the Lord's great grace that restored
Samson in the end and allowed one final victory with his death. However, it
would have been the much greater testimony to remain faithful to the end giving
no place to compromise.
Inconceivable as it may seem at first; this was the same bold form by which the
enemy embodied the idea of entrapping the Lord by a compromise with evil at the
outset of the Lord's earthly ministry. It was an appeal to the holy purpose for
which the Lord came into the earth, but upon the grounds of doing evil that good
might come. Satan offered the kingdoms of this world to the Lord through an
unholy alliance and a compromise of the plan of God.
The Kingdom was to be won, but in the way ordained by God and in the manner
foretold in scripture. Compromise will claim to carry us to the goal we are
destined to achieve in a way that seems expedient and convenient, but the end is
destruction. There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way
of death (Proverbs 14:12).
The Death of Compromise
In Bob's vision, a holy jealousy and righteous anger arose in his heart because
of the damage caused by compromise. He knew that compromise had to be destroyed,
and the only weapon for this purpose is the same one the Lord Jesus utilized in
His confrontation with this spirit -- The Word of God.
The living Word is like a mighty sword that forges deep into the heart of this
enemy. As The Scriptures declare,
For the word of God is living
and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the
division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the
thoughts and intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we
have to do." -- Hebrews 4:12-13
With this discovery, Bob confidently walked toward
compromise and allowed the sword of God's Word to fall into position in his hand
and buried it deep into the heart of compromise. It was compromise that had
caused the death of the warring women (the churches). Authority from God's Word
is now placed in our hands to destroy this life threatening spirit.
By grace, the Lord is releasing to this generation the wisdom and authority
needed to identify and defeat this great enemy of the church. This victory is
assured if we are willing to obediently heed the Lord's voice and DO THE WILL OF
THE FATHER. Faithful adherence to the Word of God will always bring death to the
spirit of compromise.
Learning From the Past
Instead of being at home caring for their family, the women (churches and
movements) allowed compromise to deceive them into unlawful relationships. There
are appropriate times and seasons for the purposes of God. There is a time to
minister unto the Lord and oversee His sheep. We have been in a season focused
on equipping the body of Christ to do the work of the ministry.
In Bob's symbolic vision, the women left their post of duty and wandered into
promiscuous relationships with the spirit of this world resulting in defeat.
Sometimes, things do not appear fruitful to the natural eye that are actually
exceedingly rewarding in the realm of the Spirit. That is why our eyes must be
focused on the eternal realm rather than the natural. Otherwise, a door can be
opened to the spirit of compromise.
"Behold, I will throw her on a
bed of sickness and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation,
unless they repent of her deeds. And I will kill her children with pestilence,
and all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts;
and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds." --
Revelations 2:22-23
The Lord is to be the husband of the church, and any
relationship with man that usurps the rightful position of the Lord as
Bridegroom is considered spiritual adultery. The spirit of compromise will
always try to convince the covenant people of God to relinquish their promised
heritage for a counterfeit relationship that seems appropriate at the time.
That was the teaching of Balaam that eventually led Israel into God's judgment.
Balaam was unable to curse Israel; therefore, he convinced her to compromise her
covenant with God by intermingling with Balak and the people of Moab.
"And Moses said to them, 'Have
you spared all the women? Behold, these caused the sons of Israel, through the
counsel of Balaam, to trespass against the LORD in the matter of Peor, so the
plague was among the congregation of the LORD. Now therefore, kill every male
among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But
all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves.'"
-- Numbers 31:15-18
Ours is an admonition of separation and purity while
patiently waiting on the promised union with the Lord Jesus. It is the counsel
of compromise to lead us away from that position at all costs.
The "way of Balaam" is the covetous conduct of the ones structurally described
as "hirelings," whose primary motive is to commercialize their divine gift.
"Forsaking the right way, they
have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved
the wages of unrighteousness" -- 2 Peter 2:15
The "teaching of Balaam" is the teaching of the mercenary
ministry counseling the church to abandon Godly separation and noble character
in favor of worldly conformity.
"But I have a few things
against you, because you have there some who hold the teaching of Balaam, who
kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, to eat
things sacrificed to idols and to commit acts of immorality." --
Revelations 2:14
Very often, following this path will seemingly bring quick
results and attract scores of people with much less spiritual resistance.
Nonetheless, the conclusion after all has been done is death and fruitlessness.
Balaam taught Balak to corrupt the people who could not be cursed by seducing
them to marry Moabite women and commit spiritual adultery. That is the
motivation of compromise as outlined in Bob's vision. He could not conquer these
gallant warring women in battle; therefore, the only hope for victory was to
corrupt them by seduction with the spirit of the world.
"Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the
things freely given to us by God." -- 1 Corinthians 2:12
If the women had remained at their appointed abode, as was
their initial responsibility, they would have become fruitful and productive.
Because they allowed compromise to deceive them, their lives were ended, and
their children were left to be raised as orphans in an unsupervised manner. The
Lord desires women (churches) to be loyal to their Husband and abundantly
fruitful -- producing offspring to the glory of God.
Compromise will always lead us into wrong relationships. Concession leads to
death, while faithfulness leads to repentance, answered prayer, and victory.
Even though the night hours seem long and sometimes lonesome, it would be
compromise to depart from that place of responsibility and enter relationships
unlawfully leading to our demise.
With those conclusions, Bob departed the mountain, realizing the destructive
qualities of compromise.
A Glorious Future
The most grievous aspect of the vision was the great future forfeited by the
powerful women (churches) illustrated here. Even though they had been victorious
and productive, their most rewarding years were ahead of them if they could have
overcome the deceptions of compromise.
These churches had been powerfully anointed warriors of the faith. The enemy was
able to destroy them only during the "night," not during the "day" seasons. If
the women had remained in their post of duty, the enemy would have had no access
or opportunity to destroy them. Nevertheless, weeping may endure for a night,
but joy comes with the morning light.
All of the strongholds of the enemy are designed to obscure our knowledge of God
and His thoughts and ways through discouragement, depression, and self-pity.
When our vision has been thus impaired, alternative courses are introduced that
will seemingly take us to our desired destination but are not the "thoughts and
ways" of God. We must not be willing to give an inch in our commitment to the
Lord and our walk with Him -- not even for the most noble of causes.
Through this prophetic analogy, the women lost their first love and compromised
their chastity to follow the leadership of men whom they perceived would make
them more fruitful and productive. In reality, their decision cost them their
lives. Our battlefield is in the souls of men where our mind, will, and emotions
reside. The weapon of our warfare is divinely powerful...THE WORD OF GOD
RIGHTFULLY APPROPRIATED BY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
"For the weapons of our
warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of
fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up
against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the
obedience of Christ." -- 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
It is through faith AND patience that we inherit the great
promises that are rightfully ours. The greatest days for the Church of Jesus
Christ are directly ahead of us. Our desolate heritages are being restored to be
mingled with the fresh and unprecedented release of God's great grace. Even so,
Lord Jesus . . . come.
Paul Keith Davis
White Dove Ministries
www.whitedoveministries.org
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Paul Keith Davis' Upcoming Itinerary:
Oct 06-08, 2005
Engaging Heaven! Conference
West Haven, CT
Contact: Jenn Santiago
jenns@gateway-fellowship.org
(203) 934-0880
Oct 19-22, 2005
Catch the Fire
Prophetic Seers Conference
Dudley, England
More Info
Oct 27-29, 2005
"Miracles in the Maritimes"
Gateway Christian Fellowship
Saint John, New Brunswick Canada
Contact: Gateway Christian Fellowship
(203) 934-0880
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