To a thirsty man, who desperately needs water, polluted water is like a mockery. So is the righteous man who compromises with or gives in to the wicked. The preserving power of his salt is lost (Colossians 4:6); the refreshing power of the springs of living water welling up within him is destroyed when he mixes the purity of God’s grace with the pollution of man’s sin. Whenever we are tempted to compromise with evil, let us remember this image, which shows us how utterly useless we become when we compromise like this.
26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.