Standing strong in the midst of Worldliness
Dan 1:5-8
One the final night of Jesus’ life, Jesus prayed while he walked on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane the words found in John 17. His heart heavy with the events that he knew were coming, He paused to pray for us. Verse 20 makes it clear that Jesus was praying for anyone who would believe on the testimony of Jesus through the teaching of the disciples. What is it that Jesus prays for? What is so important that Jesus lift up his prayer to the Father right before he enter the garden. Listen to his world…
John 17:14-17 - I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Jesus prays that we would not be overtaken by the world influences. This is not the first time Jesus alluded to this important subject. Jesus speaks about the utter uselessness of a candle that is hidden and salt that has become so diluted that it has lost its saltiness.
The Apostle Paul also spoke about this important subject in
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
God knew that there would be a draw for people to confirm to the world instead of follow his law, therefore he has given us his word and godly examples to remind us to stand strong it midst of worldliness. Let’s go back to the story that we started last week with Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
Last week we noted that their entire life was turned upside down when the kingdom of Judah surrendered to the Babylonian empire and these young men were taken captive to serve in the Kings court. These three men received three years of training in the Babylonian culture which was an attempt to re-indoctrinate them to the Babylonian lifestyle. Their names were even changed to Babylonian names as a way to show depth of the re-programming efforts.
But in spite of the Babylonian effort to cause the men to forsake their God and follow whole heartedly after the Babylonian lifestyle, these men stood strong. They could have gone along with the old saying, “when in Babylon, does as the Babylonians do!” They could have said that God has forgotten them and turned their back on God. They could have said, “no one will know if we forsake our upbringing.”
But instead, they chose to believe the sovereignty of God. They chose to stand strong on what they believed. They chose to follow God and walk in faith. But it did not take long for their faith to be tested. And what was the test? It was the test of worldliness? The test of just fitting in!
As we examine this test, I want you to see three things. First, I want you to notice the definition of Worldliness. Second I want you to see how Daniel defeated worldliness. And then I want you to see the benefit of staying true to one’s faith.
Daniel 1:5-8 - And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
But before we go any further, I think we need to define what worldliness is.
Worldliness defined
The entire three year period of time for Daniel and his friends is a test of faith in the area of worldliness. Daniel and his friend were to forget about their heritage, upbringing and faith and become Babylonians. That was the entire purpose of this period of time. The Babylonians believed that this would help them keep the secure their kingdom. It would also secure future generation because they took the best of the best from the nations they had conquered. Pretty smart, don’t you think. If we can change the thinking of the young generation, then the next generation will be ours. And there is where we see the full extent of the enemies plan.
A simple definition of worldliness
Worldliness is a hard word to define, mainly because the world sees their way of thinking as a good thing. Consider what one online dictionary has to say about the matter. “Worldliness is the quality or character of being intellectually sophisticated through cultivation or experience or disillusionment. Thinking and acting like the world is just a way to be more sophisticated.
I think Merriam – Webster define the term more accurately. “Worldliness is relating to, or devoted to this world and its pursuits rather than to religion or spiritual affairs.” In essence, worldliness is being driven more by the pursuits of the world, that by God.
Biblically worldliness is defined as living more by the world’s law than by God’s law. Worldliness is more about fitting in than about being holy. Worldliness is being more interested in worldly treasures, than in eternal riches.
Dr. David Wells (GCTS) observes, "Worldliness is what makes sin look normal in any age and righteousness seem odd."
The Devil, our enemy, is after the minds of the believer. He wants them to focus on worldly treasures, worldly pressures, worldly wisdom, more that what God has. And when the believer gives in to this worldly mindset, they become worldly in the behavior. Let me see if I can give you some examples:
The Homosexual agenda. This week there have been some major developments in the thinking on homosexual marriage. CT Same Sex Marriage Law! Connecticut’s Legislature voted Wednesday night to update the state’s marriage law to conform with October’s state supreme court ruling (PDF) that same-sex couples have the right to marry in Connecticut. The bill would turn all previous civil unions into marriages starting in October 2010, Jurist—Paper Chase reported. The Hartford Courant’s Capitol Watch blog reported late Wednesday that Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell said she would sign the bill.
Then again this past week in the Miss America Pageant. Miss California was asked a question about same sex Marriage. Her answer did not line up modern thinking, and many believe that cost her the crown. Let me read you a dialogue that transpired and one persons response to the event.
Asked judge Perez Hilton to Prejean, “Vermont recently became the 4th state to legalize same-sex marriage. Do you think every state should follow suit. Why or why not?”
Observers quickly learned that in Hilton’s mind there was only one correct answer. And Prejean picked the wrong one.
“Well I think its great that Americans are able to choose one or the other,” she said. “We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And you know what, in my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there but that’s how I was raised and that’s how I think it should be between a man and a woman. Thank you very much.”
Prejean was greeted with a mixed reaction from the audience. Boos followed by applause. And the reactions didn’t stop at the pageant. It went into overtime.
But it’s not just the homosexual agenda, that just seems to be the hot topic right now. How about the worlds thinking on creation vs. evolution, drinking, relationships, smoking, over eating, and the list could go on and on.
Now that we have a working knowledge of what worldliness is, let’s go back to our story and see how we can overcome the draw of worldliness like our Jewish Friends did.
Worldliness defeated
What is it exactly that Daniel and his friend were being tempted with…Food! They were given a portion of food from the King that Daniel could not stomach. Why? There are two probably reason why Daniel was unwilling to eat the King’s meat. One reason would be that the King’s meat was sometimes the same meat that was offered to idols in their pagan worship. It could have also been that the meat in the kings menu was against the dietary laws of the Jews. Both instances would have been a problem for Daniel and his friends as they were trying to remain faithful to God.
But you need to see a very important point here. The Devil is very subtle. Notice that he starts with just a small area. He is testing them in the area of eating habits. What is so important about eating habits? You see the Devil knows, if he can get a hoot hold anywhere, then it will be easier to tempt them in larger areas later. In fact, we know the story…first it was dinner, next it was worshipping a graven image. It is important to notice this. How does one eat an elephant? One bite at a time. How does one become worldly? One compromise at a time.
But Daniel was smarter than this. Notice his response.0
1. Daniel had purposeful resolve
Dan 1:8 - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
The Word purposed means “to put, to place, to fix.” Daniel decided ahead of time that he was unwilling to give into the temptation that was put before him. His resolve was settled. He mind was made up. Daniel was not going to allow anything to defile his body.
This was difficult. Here is Daniel in Babylon as a captured enemy of the state. I do not think he has much bargaining power. He could lose his life…for what…the wrong kind of food. Yet what Daniel knew is that it was his job to stand firm, it was God’s job to make a way of escape. And did God make a way of escape? Yes, as we will soon see.
What is the first step in overcoming worldliness? We need to have a purposeful resolve. We must purpose our hearts to follow after the law of God. It all starts with the firmness in mind that resolves to a life of purity. If our mind is not steadfast, then our foundation will falter. That is why it is important to first fix our mind upon the Law of God.
2. Daniel had persistent confidence
Daniel 1:9-11 - Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants…
God did indeed make a way of escape. God had brought Daniel into a good standing with the prince of the eunuchs. But Daniel first had to stand up for his decision. At first, the man in charge is resistant, but Daniel was persistent. Daniel steps our confidently on his faith and proposes a challenge.
But before we see the action of the challenge, notice first that Daniel confidence and boldness is in response to his faith. Daniel is confident that God will make a way of escape. And Daniel is confident that God is preparing the way. And he is confident that he has to take action. So what does Daniel do? Daniel calls the prince of the eunuchs to the side and begins to ask the prince his specific requests.
Isn’t this amazing. Daniel is presented with a path that is unacceptable to him. He is nothing more than a slave. Yet Daniel fells free to make his requests known. Sometimes people are put in situations where the way of the world seems to be pressing them hard, but they say nothing. They are asked to do things that are contrary to God’s word, and they say nothing. Daniel was bold enough to speak.
In fact the idea of speaking out when confronted with something wrong was the chief proponent behind an education development in the Reagan administration. It’s roots go back to the 1970’s where a University of Houston Social Psychology professor begin working on a model to help students resist peer pressure and other social influences.
This program was so adept at helping people overcome some of the most common social influences, that it is still in use today. There is evidence to suggest that drug use and abuse significantly declined during the Reagan presidency. According research conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan, more young people in the 1980s were saying no to drugs. High school seniors using marijuana dropped from 50.1% in 1978 to 36% in 1987, to 12% in 1991 and the percentage of students using other drugs decreased in a similar fashion. Hallucinogen use dropped from 11% to 6%, cocaine from 12% to 10%, and heroin from 1% to 0.5%.
But it did not get it current name until 1982 where Nancy Reagan unknowingly revealed it. In 1982 Mrs. Reagan was asked by a schoolgirl what to do if she was offered drugs. The first lady responded by saying, "Just say no”.
There is power in having enough boldness to just say no! When worldliness comes calling…when temptation comes calling…just say no!
3. Daniel had planned action –
Dan 1:12-15 - Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.
Daniel asked the Prince for a 10 day test. This test was simply to give the Hebrew boys vegetables and water for 10 days and then examine and see which looked better. The test was more about God’s ability than it was Daniel’s. The test was…is God’s way best! Daniel already knew the answer, but the Babylonians did not.
Do you know the answer?
Worldliness deflated
What is the purpose of worldliness? Is it not just to fit in so that other will like you? And if other like you, then you will be esteemed in their eyes. Daniel did not want to fit it, but he did want to be faithful. He said no, to the king’s meat, but yse to God’s law. Notice what happened.
Dan 1:17-21 - As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.
Daniel looked better and knew more than anyone who just tried to fit in.
CONCLUSION:
One thing is certain, the draw of the world is strong and it affects everyone. What is not known is how the individual will respond to the temptation. Let me say that another way. You will be tempted! How will you respond. Will you give into temptation and the draw of worldliness? Or will you like Daniel, stand strong in the face of worldliness.
