Truth & Compromise

Mike Winkler

 There is a strong temptation to “water down” the truth in order to make it more appealing to greater numbers of people. Sometimes we feel the urge to soften God’s message to avoid offending or upsetting someone. It’s a common thing to see preachers and teachers avoid certain subjects for fear of losing or alienating church members. Doing so is always a mistake.

The following story is told about the famous author, professor, and preacher J. W. McGarvey:

In January, 1903, Jesse P. Sewell and J. W. McGarvey were together at a worship assembly in Dallas, Texas. “While sitting on the front seat, waiting to speak, brother McGarvey leaned over to brother Sewell and said, ‘Brother Sewell, I want to say something to you, if you will accept it in the spirit in which I mean it.’ Brother Sewell assured him that he would and brother MeGarvey continued, ‘You are on the right road, and whatever you do, do not let anybody persuade you that you can successfully combat error by fellowshipping it and going along with it. I have tried. I believed at the start that was the only way to do it. I have never held membership in a congregation that used instrumental music. I have, however, accepted invitations to preach without distinctions between churches that use it and churches that do not. I have gone along with their papers and magazines and things of that sort. During all these years I have taught the truth as the New Testament teaches it to every young preacher who has passed through the College of the Bible. Yet, I do not know of more than six of those men who are preaching the truth today.’ He then affirmed, ‘It will not work.”’