We are living in a world that is filled with pressures. We have family pressures, social pressures, political pressures and others too numerous to mention. All of these are exerting their power upon us and many times we yield to them to the point of surrendering Christian principles. Pressure is one of the greatest things with which the Christian of today must cope. Sometimes members of our families will prevail upon us to do things that the Bible condemns and eventually, because of the pressure, we compromise. In so doing we are denying the word of God as our source of Authority and guidance and are following the wishes of others rather than the will of God.

Those who employ pressure as a means of getting what they want are not limited to any one class of people and many Christians are among this group. If a preacher or teacher is proclaiming the truth "too plainly" they will immediately begin to pressure others to help pressure the preacher so that be will "soften" his preaching. Preachers are told that if they don't "line up" with this group of Christians or another group of Christians they will be unable to find places to preach. For the sake of convenience and not conviction many compromise. We need to be aware that the scriptures say, "but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear."

Many years ago two men in particular lost their lives because they were not willing to compromise with those who would pressure them. They were Stephen and John the Baptizer. Today I should be willing to defend that which I believe even if it means that others will ridicule both me and my convictions. If we realize when we are doing the Lord's will that he will be pleased it should matter very little what others think.

Truth Magazine II:11, inside front cover
August 1958