April 11
A Compromised
Truth
“But there were also false prophets among the people.
In the same way, there will also be false teachers among you.
They will secretly teach things that are wrong.
They will lead you to believe things that will destroy you.
They will even turn against the Lord and Master who bought them.
Bringings of swift ruin on themselves.
Many will follow their evil ways and cause others to tell lies about the way of truth.
These teachers are only looking for money.
So they will use stories they have made up to teach lies.
Their sentence has been coming for a long time.
It is ready, and their ruin is near.”
2 Peter 2:1-3 (NIrV)
Bishop Alicia was known far and wide. Her sermons filled vast cathedrals, and her polished messages were shared across social media, gaining millions of followers. She spoke of God’s love and grace—but omitted the call to repentance. Her reinterpretations of Scripture earned her praise for being progressive and inclusive, but her teachings often blurred the line between truth and popular opinion.
Alicia had started with sincere faith. She had once pored over Scripture, humbled by its call to holiness. But as her fame grew, so did the pressure to appeal to her audience. Slowly, she began to preach what people wanted to hear rather than what they needed. Sin was rebranded as self-expression; God's commands were dismissed as outdated. Her words brought comfort—but they lacked conviction.
One evening, Alicia sat alone in her lavish office, scrolling through the comments on her latest sermon. “You’re so inspiring!” one wrote. Another said, “Finally, a message we can all agree on!” But a private message caught her eye. It read: “Bishop Alicia, your words comforted me, but when I read the Bible, I see something different. Are you sure you’re teaching God’s truth?”
For the first time in years, Alicia felt unsettled. She brushed it off, telling herself, My version of truth brings people hope. Isn't that what matters? But the seed of doubt had been planted.
The next Sunday, during her sermon, she glanced at a man in the front row. He held a Bible open, and his expression was one of deep concern. She couldn’t shake the feeling that he was praying for her. His presence reminded her of her early days, when her only goal was to please God, not people.
That night, unable to sleep, Alicia picked up her Bible—a book she hadn’t read deeply in months. The pages felt foreign, yet familiar. She stumbled upon 2 Peter 2:1-3. The words pierced her heart: “They will secretly teach things that are wrong... they will even turn against the Lord.”
Tears streamed down her face as the realization hit her. She had strayed far from the truth, leading others astray in the process. Alicia fell to her knees, whispering, “Lord, forgive me. I’ve traded Your truth for approval. Show me how to return to You.”
In the weeks that followed, Alicia began preaching with humility and boldness. Her messages were no longer aimed at winning applause but at pointing people to Christ. Some followers left, accusing her of being too rigid, but others stayed, drawn to the newfound authenticity in her words.
Alicia learned that speaking God’s truth might not always be popular, but it was the only path to real freedom—for her and those she led.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your Word that brings both comfort and correction.
Forgive us when we compromise Your truth for the sake of approval or comfort.
Like Alicia, we ask for humility to see where we’ve strayed and courage to return to Your path.
Help us to lead lives that glorify You, even when it’s difficult or unpopular.
Give us discernment to recognize false teachings and the boldness to stand firm in Your Word.
May we always seek to please You above all else.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
