Leading The Way

July 15, 2025

God Calls Us Not to Compromise

By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.

As we attempt to rebuild the broken walls in our lives, our families, and our culture, we must not fall for the schemes of the evil one. To remain strong, there are three things we must know: We must know the task to which God has called us so we won’t be led astray. We must know what is true so we will not cower in the face of lies. And finally, we must know God’s Word so we will be able to discern the Truth when people speak falsely in His name.

Read Nehemiah 6. Just as Nehemiah was completing his work rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, his enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—turned up the heat. Four times they sent messages to Nehemiah, asking him to stop his work and come meet them in a place about twenty miles north of Jerusalem.

Perhaps they hoped to draw him away from the city to kill him once and for all. Nehemiah, however, did not fall for it. He responded, “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3). God had called him to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, not to compromise with those who sought to do harm.

When Nehemiah refused to leave the city, his enemies sent him a messenger with a letter. The letter claimed that Nehemiah was rebuilding the city’s walls because he was planning to rebel against the king of Persia and take the throne for himself. Nehemiah rightly understood that if such a story were delivered to the king, it might mean the end of his own life and maybe even the city of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah could have decided to meet with his enemies and discuss terms—but he knew their accusations were false. So he stood on that Truth and refused to compromise.

In a third attempt on his life, Nehemiah’s enemies tried to trick him into taking refuge inside the temple’s sanctuary—an act that was against God’s law and punishable by death (see Numbers 1:51). But once again, Nehemiah knew God’s Word and refused to compromise.

Are there areas of your life where you have been tempted to compromise, even in seemingly small ways? Remember your calling, remember the Truth, and steep yourself in God’s Word so the lies of the enemy lose their power. If you are walking in obedience to the Lord, God is calling you to stand tall. Don’t compromise one inch. The Lord is on your side.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, give me the courage and the focus to not falter in the task You have given me. Thank You that, although temptations and trials will come, You are with me and You will help me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down” (Nehemiah 6:3).

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon Rebuilding Our Broken Walls, Part 6: LISTEN NOW

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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.