Make Up Your Mind

 Make Up Your Mind

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself (Daniel 1:8).

Although Daniel was in a hostile environment, he made up his mind not to defile himself. It would have been easy to rationalize partaking of the king's food and wine. After all, he was taken captive and placed under guard. He had no way to overcome his situation except by appeal. So, that is what he did. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials (Daniel 1:9). What an example of trusting God and seeing Him work.

We live in a hostile environment, too. Jesus said, If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you (John 15:18-19).

The juxtaposition of righteousness and sinfulness fuels that hatred. This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed (John 3:19-20). 

Let us praise God that He chose us out of the world. However, we still have the flesh. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Romans 8:11-14).

Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself. Have you? Temptations abound in our society. Are you being proactive like Daniel? Are you preparing your heart against the wiles of the devil? Are you standing for Christ in the face of persecution? I believe that if the commander had denied Daniel’s requests, he would have preferred to face the consequences rather than give in to temptation. Oh, that we should have such faith!