Romans12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect( NLT).
IF YOU CAN'T BEAT THEM JOIN THEM
The statement above mean that if someone is too strong for you, just team up with them and be on their side. In our day-to- day conversation and interaction with the outside world, this statement has come to connote "compromise".
It is suggestive of aligning with unbiblical norms and practices in our society so as to have an edge. For example, a student that has failed several times may join the bandwagon of those involved in examination malpractice just to escape the shame of yearly failure.
In some offices, some cut corners to make extra cash. If you find yourself in that environment, you may discover that your colleagues at work are living fine while you go broke before month end. The devil may tempt you to join them if you can't beat them.
The conformity to the sinful standard in the world is anti bible regardless of the circumstance or situation in which we find ourselves.
From the old covenant, God warned against unholy alliance and joining multitude to do evil: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil;..."(Ex.23:2). A practice may be popular and en vogue but may not be of God. Whenever we are in the crowd for too long, an irresistible influence is exerted upon us.
We should never look at what people are doing as our standard for daily living. Our calling is to be separated unto the Lord: "Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you"(2Cor 6:17).
Every day, the devil is inventing new ways of getting us in the mix. He'll present compromise to us as harmless with a sense of "it doesn't matter, so many people are doing it". Dearest, anytime the devil tells you that a thing doesn't matter, just know that it matters much.
Sometimes ago, someone told me he can help find a way to adjust my prepaid meter to reduce the billing. He presented it to me as though it is what everyone is doing and it doesn't matter. As harmless as it is, it is a way of "joining them" to do what is not right.
Majority may be doing it but that doesn't make it right. Don't join them. They may be lying about their age to secure a job, inflate contracts and demand kick backs as a means of survival in this harsh economy. Don't join them.
The way to eternal life has always been narrow with only few persons walking in it: "Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (Matthew7:14).
Daily, the road is getting more narrow because only the few who have refused to " join them" remains on the path. Today, God is telling you to separate from them If you can't beat them.
Father, I receive the grace to separate from them instead of joining them in Jesus name. Amen.