Do you compromise with evil?

Since evil is harmless unless inside the hearts and minds of men, I guess the real question is: Do you compromise your integrity? We're not talking great evil here, we're talking about your morals and ethics?

First, the big test is if you can be honest with yourself. If you can’t be honest with yourself, then you may be of the unaccountable variety and already innocent without question or investigation.

Second, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.

Evil - morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: harmful; injurious:* 

Compromise - a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached by adjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles, etc., by reciprocal modification of demands.*

Integrity - adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.*

Evil is similar to love in that if only an attitude, thought or emotion, it has little power. However, when put into action, they are both extremely powerful forces. 

Historically, evil, in action, is demonstrated by murder, rape, rage, abuse (hurting others), deceit, theft, oppression, bribery, extortion, adultery, idolatry, deceit, malice, slander, hypocrisy, self-centeredness and/or influencing others to do the same. The root of evil in man is said to stem from pride, envy, wrath, greed, lust, laziness, gluttony and despair. This is not a complete list.  

You may not believe some of the actions listed above are evil, and that's okay.  You are not being asked to conform to a belief system, but to see if you actually adhere to your own.

Where the rubber meets the road, the reality check:

Have you ever committed an evil action? 

Are there consequences to these actions? 

Is there ever a valid justification for these actions?

Do these actions occur on a regular basis?  

Have you ever justified greed by calling it ambition? Justified pride by calling it self-respect or strength of character? Justified lust by calling it passion? Justified wrath by calling it truth? Justified gluttony by calling it a compulsion? Justified lying by declaring the greater good? Justified slander by calling it justice? Justified theft by calling it need?

There is a very long list of justifications, but the real question is do you mask these actions by justifying them? Back to the honesty question… 

Is there a price on your integrity? Is there a money amount or some other justification or motivation for the compromise? Might the price be excessive fear, insecurity, loneliness, or possibly just the desire for pleasure?

I have asked myself all these questions and did not like many of the answers. Once we go down the road of compromise, we seldom get off it.  Man has battled this dilemma since the beginning, never completely victorious.

If you are a person of integrity and stand up for your beliefs, our culture will cast intense judgment. They will condemn you, call you rigid and accuse you of being out of touch. The choice not to compromise your beliefs will get you labeled a fanatic, a zealot, a radical; intolerant of others. And because we, as imperfect humans, are unable to maintain perfect adherence to our belief system, we are then cast as hypocrites.  

If you don't believe our culture hates integrity and accountability, just look at the wholesale condemnation of the Christian church (all denominations) for adhering to its belief system.  They demand for the church to change and not maintain its belief system; some of which over 3,000 years old!  If they will judge, criticize and condemn the church for adhering to its belief system, trust me, we as individuals don't stand a chance.

Although I acknowledge that all church leaders and members do not adhere to their belief system and do not demonstrate integrity; this should not be used as another justification for more compromise.  This might be a sign that one should choose another church instead of fighting its leadership, doctrine  or theology.

You also have the choice to deny evil actually exists, especially if agnostic or atheist.  But I believe every human possesses the knowledge of right and wrong, good and bad, morals and ethics - a belief system.  If not, some are considered a Sociopath  - a person with a psychopathic personality whose behavior is antisocial, often criminal, and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.* Please remember there are varying degrees of sociopathic behavior, they’re not all criminals. 

Lastly, I find it takes much more courage and strength of character not to compromise one's integrity than to go along with the status quo. To stand up for your beliefs and not condone, participate or promote our politically correct culture. How I admire men and women of integrity, who possess courage, character and resolve. They command respect and admiration through honesty, loyalty, sincerity, reliability, civility, selflessness and service to others.  These are my heros, my encouragers, my supporters.  May you be one of them...

“Joyful are people of integrity, 
who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws
 and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.” Psalm 119:1-3

*Definitions courtesy of Dictionary.com