Compromise and Concupiscence (kon kyuu puh sens).
There, at least to me, seems to be an ever ongoing battle for the believer. Even after being born again, born from above, the temptation to compromise and be drawn by the same concupiscence that entered the garden with the serpent adversary confronts us.
Most of us are aware of Paul’s description of two natures wrestling in Romans 7.
[Romans 7:15-20 NASB95] 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I [would] like to [do,] but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want [to do,] I agree with the Law, [confessing] that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good [is] not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
I will not try to draw anything from this passage at this moment but to say that this struggle seems common to man.
Earlier in this passage the apostle wrote
[Romans 7:7-8 NASB95] 7 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin (KJV – LUST) except through the Law; for I would not have known (KJV- LUST) about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting (KJV – CONCUPISCENCE) of every kind; for apart from the Law sin [is] dead.
This is one of the occasions where I find a better understanding produced through KJV English. I’ll define “concupiscence” later. But, for the moment let me say that Paul, in trying to show us that the law became a tutor to reveal the connection between sin and death in our carnal nature, has given us insight into the power and draw of the adversary’s lies. And, that the adversary is not trying to simply trip us up, but is trying to kill/steal/destroy us, if he can. His lie, and death in it, always stand juxtaposed to the way/truth/life that is in Jesus.
And, so the battle rages. The adversary may not be able to kill us who are born again, but he can, and will, try to keep us from fullness of life and joy, and destroy our testimony of Christ through compromise and the power of concupiscence.
That is why, I think, Paul makes this exposition of the two natures warring and tries to give understanding about the connection between the law and death and the Spirit and life.
It also why we read in the scriptures wisdom from Solomon and instruction from Jesus:
[Proverbs 14:12 NASB95] 12 There is a way [which seems] right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
[Proverbs 16:25 NASB95] 25 There is a way [which seems] right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
Advice so strong he repeats it twice! The adversary, our enemies, through our intellect and emotion will make a certain way look right and enticing. But, it is deception, and its end is sure death or destruction outside of God’s will and purpose
[Proverbs 4:20-27 NASB95] 20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body. 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it [flow] the springs of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth And put devious speech far from you. 25 Let your eyes look directly ahead And let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. 26 Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established. 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
It takes vigilance and commitment to keep your heart from the wells and puddles and ponds of stagnant death, to keep drinking from the springs of life. (Ask me how I know1!)
[Matthew 26:41 NASB95] 41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Falling asleep while Jesus is seeking the Father’s will seems somehow natural and innocent enough after a long Passover day and evening. But, this is a metaphor, of how easy it is for the flesh to lead us to compromise even when we are trying to remain close to Him and His purpose. We need to be ever watchful and praying. (Again, ask me how I know!)
Why are you taking up this subject? you may be saying at this point. Well, it is not to be simply negative and hopeless about the temptation to compromise or the lust of the flesh. I understand we have been delivered in Christ Jesus. Here is the good news that Paul concludes the Romans 7 and begins Romans 8 with:
[Romans 7:21-25 NASB95] 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. [Romans 8:1-4 NASB95] 1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God [did:] sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and [as an offering] for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
Without exposition of this passage, but understanding that, I share regarding the battle of compromise and concupiscence because I find it ongoing in me. And, I believe that is common to many, if not most, believers. We don’t have to live under sin consciousness. But we do need to be alert to the lies, attacks, temptations that confront us.
I find myself too often in situations where I have to ask myself about being compromised. “Am I compromising in doing or not doing this? Am I compromised if I say this, or perhaps don’t say that? It is a place where a little leaven can leaven the whole loaf. I have found compromise a slippery slope in my life and that of others. A little compromise can lead to full corruption. I think I have seen that lead to loss of spiritual power, and place, and ministry, at times in my life. And, most certainly in others lives as well. Perhaps you’ve seen it in those you’ve known, and have certainly seen in ministers and ministries of national prominence.
The destruction of compromise doesn’t come upon one quickly, but over time. Slipping, slipping, slipping, little by little by simply letting your guard down… You begin by saying to the Spirit who is bringing conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgment and saying NO, that’s not for you; “Oh this once, this little ain’t that bad, cant hurt.”
The only way to respond to His “NO, that’s not for you” is to crucify the flesh by His power. On the cross, and dead to sin, the temptation has no power. But, that isn’t easy because the battle in our soul/mind. And saying yes to the compromise seems right to a man, while going to, or staying on, the cross is never as appealing it seems.
I said I would define concupiscence . It is an old English term used in the King James Version in two or three places in the New Testament (look them up) but notably as I referenced in Romans 7:7-8 above.
Concupiscence is generally defined as a strong desire or lust. The New Testament seems to take it one step farther exposing it as our nature or tendency to sin, or our inclination to be drawn by sin. As such, it is placed in tension, or opposition, with our desire or inclination as believers to want to do God’s will or please Him. I’m told the Latin root means “strong desire” or “lust”. We tend to understand that as sinful desire or passion outside of God’s will or purpose.
The adversary introduced the concept, if you will, in the garden with Adam and Eve, making the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil look appealing, although its fruit carried death. The other choice was to simply come to the Tree of Life also in the center of the garden which carried no penalty and was under no command.
Concupiscence and the battling of sinful desire was on from that point on. As the apostle pointed out: I would not have come to know sin (KJV – LUST) except through the Law; for I would not have known (KJV- LUST) about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” 8 But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting (KJV – CONCUPISCENCE) of every kind…
This tension and tug of war between the desire for carnal, the things appealing to the flesh, and a passion for knowing and pleasing God is evident, just as Paul exposes to the Romans. And, we know their culture was full of degradation, even as our own. This exposition of the clash/tension/battle is at the heart of what is ongoing in the believer as we are, at once, ENTICED/PUSHED toward base desires by all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:16 – things not from the Father, but from the world) on one side and DRAWN toward the righteous by the Spirit dwelling within!
Understanding concupiscence throws us into depending on the grace of God and the power of the Spirit to resist and choose the cross/death for the life there is on the other side. This understanding helps direct us to choose Jesus as the Tree of Life, and to find grace in Him, when we fail even as a sleeping disciple because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. We are not incapable of doing the good and the right, and we are not depraved since we have been born again and empowered by the Spirit within. But, we are in a battle in the world.
[Romans 8:5-6, 9 NASB95] 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, … 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.
[Galatians 5:16-17 NASB95] 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.