Walk, Stand, Sit

             Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.(Psalm 1:1-2)

It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: “There is a king in Judah!” Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together…

One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.” (Nehemiah 6:6-7 & 10)

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (I Corinthians 15:33)

I’m still feeling the influence of yesterday’s three words:  uncompromising, teamwork, and competition. Generally, we look at the Psalm 1 passage as illustrating I Corinthians 15:33, and it does do that. But how does it do so? Usually, a process that begins with walking and ends with sitting (and eating) is described, and the process happens because we compromise.

In fact, we’re likely to hear compromise described as a good and humble thing. Only the arrogant and bigoted refuse to compromise. But those who say it are likely to take one step toward you in “compromise” and call on us to take ten steps forward while they take at least two backward. They may or may not realize that’s what they’re doing. We might or might not notice when we do the same.

Does all this mean that we should never interact with “them” (whoever “they” are)? Some will point out that Jesus ate with sinners and Gentiles. This is true, but in order for Jesus to not walk, stand, sit, or eat with sinners, He would have had to become a hermit – living, walking, standing, sitting, and eating all by Himself. And while He ate with and ministered to sinners, He never compromised. He never said their sins were not sins or that their committing them was no big deal.

We need to be uncompromising in our faith, principles, behavior. Compromise is ultimately harmful to all concerned. Even putting oneself in a position to appear to have compromised may harm your testimony, and that is what happens when we walk, stand, or sit with those who seek our compromise.