The Dangerous Anointing
Book of Daniel Series
CCCAG 4-6-25
Text: Daniel 6
Introduction
We are going to start this morning with a quiz.
How many people remember what these commercial taglines represent, and I will be dating myself a bit here.
“The few, the proud, the….”?
“It’s not just a job, it’s an adventure.”
“Be all you can be!”
“Aim High”
All of these armed services use the promise of adventure or a sense of being the elite to attract recruits.
You notice, though- in the commercials they never show-
Soldiers on KP duty, or doing busy work like turning over gravel in the yard so they get equal amounts of sun.
Sailors scraping barnacles off a buoy.
Today we will be talking about a subject that most church’s shy away from, and that is the hardship that can be seen from having a calling as a Christian.
The bible is clear- there are some people who receive a special call of God
This call will lead them places most Christians will never see. This calling is not easy, and is often a calling into an eventful life that makes an impact on the world.
Sometimes that the calling will lead these people into a life of danger
Today, we will see that happen as we look at one of the most famous stories in all of scripture.
This morning, we’re stepping into the lion’s den through the lens of Daniel 6. This isn’t just a Sunday school tale of a man and some big cats; it’s a lesson that shows us what it means to carry "The Dangerous Anointing."
For those who might not understand this word anointing, let me explain it for a moment.
When God places a special calling on your life, there is a spiritual power and essence that comes with that calling. That power and essence is called an anointing, or spiritual empowerment.
The idea of anointing started in the Old Testament. People who were being set apart by God often had physical oil poured over their head’s symbolizing God’s favor and HIS calling in their life.
Today we see this anointing as a special outpouring of God’s power into an individual through the Holy Spirit. It’s a measure of divine wisdom, power, and authority that is supernatural.
This anointing is not a passport to privilege, but an empowerment to serve God in very unique and special way.
However, as we will see as we explore this topic through Daniel’s experience in the lion's den, this calling and it’s anointing can lead to some pretty dangerous situations.
That’s why the title of today’s message is “The Dangerous Anointing” because it’s an invitation to a wild, perilous, and….in the human sense, often lonely journey where you’ll face trials most people never imagine.
Yet, in that same crucible, you’ll encounter God’s power and presence at a depth that transforms not just you but those around you.
As we read Daniel chapter 6, we will see this truth by looking at this event in the life of Daniel. He’s a man anointed by God—set apart as a prophet, a leader, a beacon that shines God’s light into a dark empire.
But as we will see-that anointing doesn’t shield him from danger; it often draws the danger to him.
Let’s read about that this morning. Remember, we are going chronologically through the Book of Daniel.
Darius is now the king after the Medo-Persian empire conquers Babylon, and he is assigning regional officials called satraps over his kingdom.
Daniel is one of them, and because of his anointing from God he does better than all of the other officials by far, and is about to be promoted to the head of all of the other officials.
The other officials get jealous, and hatch a plot against him. They can’t attack the results of Daniel’s anointing, so they attack the source.
Daniel 6:5-18 (CSB)
5 Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever.
7 All the administrators of the kingdom— the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” 9 So King Darius signed the written edict.
10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable.”
13 Then they replied to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.” 14 As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him.
15 Then these men went together to the king and said to him, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you! ” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep.
Prayer
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Most if not all of us have heard this story before.
Daniel had been completely faithful to God and to the rulers placed over him for almost 70 years. Because of his character, even the unbelieving rulers he has served elevated him to positions over the top of people who are actually native to that kingdom.
As we saw, it creates some jealousy, leading to a group of men into tricking the king to toss Daniel in the lion's den.
Daniel goes from the top position in the kingdom, to suddenly experiencing life at the bottom of the food chain- literally.
This shows us a what in our minds is a paradox paradox within the Christian faith. In our human thinking, we think obedience and following God’s word will always lead to blessing and peace.
It’s not always the case. Those people who have received a special calling of God often have the greatest struggles imaginable.
You only need to read about the lives of Job, Jeremiah, Isaiah, or even Jesus to realize that those who have the special calling or special anointing often experience the most fearsome attacks by this world, and the Kingdom of Darkness.
Daniel is finding this out.
The biblical account of Daniel in the lion’s den shows us seven truths about those who carry the dangerous anointing.
So let’s dig in and look at the first truth-
I. The Anointing Sets You Apart (Daniel 6:1-3)
Our text opens with Daniel thriving in the Persian Empire under King Darius. Verses 1-3 tell us Darius appointed 120 satraps to govern, overseen by three high officials, including Daniel.
But Daniel stands out: “He became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” (v. 3).
What’s this “excellent spirit”? It’s not just intelligence or skill at his job. Without even knowing what it is, the pagan king recognizes the anointing of God in Daniel’s life.
This anointing has been seen throughout his entire life.
In chapter 1, when he refused the king’s pagan food and yet was more healthy then all of the other captives being trained.
Chapter 2, Daniel is the only one who can interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream.
His entire life has been marked with excellent service to whoever is in charge. That anointing is recognized even by the pagans, and it has two reactions-
The first reaction- Those in charge recognize, set apart and elevate Daniel in the kingdom ahead of unbelievers.
The second reaction- Daniel’s elevation, and the anointing behind it, angers those who do not have it.
What I means for us today- If you have a dangerous anointing, be ready to be hated by some.
No matter how kind you are, no matter how you unselfishly serve others, they will hate you because the darkness within them can’t stand the light within you.
That leads right into our next point-
That calling and it’s anointing elevates Daniel and sets him apart, but it also isolates him.
Let’s focus on the isolation for a moment.
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II. It’s A Lonely Calling
Think about the following people in the bible that carried a Dangerous Anointing-
Moses- One of the richest men on the planet, then loses everything to spend 40 years tending sheep before God calls him
David- most of his teenage years being isolated from his family tending the sheep, and then over a decade on the run from Saul.
Elijah- felt he was the last person in Israel faithful to God.
John the Baptist- lived almost a feral existence in the desert.
Apostle Paul- much of his life was lived in isolation and prison as he spread the Gospel to the Gentiles.
All of these men experienced intense loneliness because of the anointing they carried.
Looking the lives of these men there is another thing that I noticed- they all had a very difficult preparatory time, or time of loneliness to prepare them for the mission God had called them to fulfill.
Let’s apply this to Daniel-
Daniel was about 15 years old when he was taken from his home in Jerusalem. Taken to a kingdom with a culture where everything was offensive to him as an observant Hebrew. Then they castrate him, and put him a training school and try to force him to eat unclean food.
That’s was the beginning of his training.
70 years later- he is still isolated and alone. Daniel’s not one of the boys. He’s not swapping stories over wine with the other government officials. They don’t like him and can’t stand to be around him.
Daniel is a Hebrew exile in a pagan court, a worshiper of Yahweh among idolaters. He is always, always going to be the odd man out- the religious weirdo no one wants to hang out with.
That is a consequence of carrying the Dangerous Anointing.
Maybe this is sounding familiar to some here or listening by podcast- it never seems like you fit in, and it isolates you and makes you think there is something wrong with you.
Jesus spoke about this in John 3:20
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does evil hates the light and avoids it, so that his deeds may not be exposed.
Let me give you an example of this-
Several years ago, at the sectional pastor’s meetings, the leader of the meeting asked us, “Are any of you thinking of leaving the ministry?”
I remember one person (not me), who had a church about our size in a town about our size replied, “You know, I never expected being a rural pastor would be lonely, but it is.
Those who don’t go to any church will criticize everything you or your family does that doesn’t meet some weird standard they have in their minds. The people in the church are wonderful, but they never want to hang around you the person. The want the pastor, so you never get to be authentically you with anyone.”
That’s a truth that is hard for us to digest- God’s call is always isolating, but it’s for a purpose.
The reason for the isolation is twofold- one to increase your dependence and relationship with God, and two is to protect that anointing within you- because the enemy will do everything he can to destroy it.
In my living room is a picture of a lonely lighthouse being battered by a storm. It’s job is to withstand the storm so it’s light can guide the lost soul to safety.
That’s Daniel. That is the cost of carrying God’s dangerous anointing.
His anointing makes him a lighthouse, but it also means he stands alone.
That leads us to our next challenge for those who carry the Dangerous Anointing- facing opposition.
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III. The Anointing Provokes Opposition (Daniel 6:4-9)
Daniel’s anointing produces an excellence that is treasured by the king he serves but doesn’t win him friends among his peers.
Instead, it ignites murderous envy.
Verses 4-5 say, “The high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no fault… except in the matter of the law of his God.”
Daniel’s peers devise a trap: appeal to the kings vanity and convince Darius to sign a decree banning prayer to anyone but him for 30 days.
If you refuse to obey the order, you are food for the lions.
Why do they have this much hostility toward Daniel?
Daniel’s anointing threatens the system. They can’t compete with God’s power and favor, so they use the devil’s tactics to try and destroy Daniel.
Here is the truth about living with integrity in a fallen world-
Integrity is hated by those who do not have it.
You have to accept that if you try and live with any amount of anointing or integrity- You will be hated, and you will be attacked for your faithfulness.
That is what Daniel sees in his life. His integrity exposes their corruption; his faith challenges their false religion.
When God marks you with HIS calling and HIS anointing the enemy takes notice.
Here is another powerful truth-
Satan doesn’t waste arrows on the lukewarm; he aims his fiercest attacks at those carrying the dangerous anointing.
This opposition isn’t petty jealousy—it’s spiritual warfare. These officials aren’t just after Daniel’s job; they’re after his witness.
They can’t fault his work, so they target his worship.
Sound familiar? The anointed life often draws fire not for what you do wrong, but for what you do right.
Maybe you’ve felt this—criticism at work for your faith, tension with coworkers or family for your convictions.
If that is you- take heart: opposition proves you’re a threat to the darkness. To be cursed by those in darkness for shining God’s light is a blessing that will bring reward.
That brings us to our next struggle for those who carry a dangerous anointing.
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IV. The Anointing Demands Courage (Daniel 6:10-11)
Now watch Daniel’s response: “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (v. 10).
THAT is courage under fire. The decree is law. The lions are real. Yet Daniel doesn’t hide—he prays, windows open, as always.
Why?
His anointing isn’t a suggestion; it’s his identity.
He’s not defiant for defiance’s sake; he’s faithful because God is worth it.
That is the important distinction here-
Some people today want to loudly disagree with the world because they like the sound of their own voice, or they get an ego rush off of the attention. This has been supercharged to ridiculous levels in social media and cable news.
However- for those who are carrying the dangerous anointing, your first, middle, and last concern should be the Glory of God. Period.
This is why the dangerous anointing demands courage.
It means you will often be standing alone before very hostile people.
Your anointing demands you stand when it’s easier to bow.
How do we measure up to that this morning?
Do we pray boldly when the culture says “quiet down”? Do we live our faith when it’s inconvenient or dangerous?
Do people even know you are a Christian?
People knew exactly where Daniel stood- he opened his window and prayed despite knowing it would cost him his life.
Daniel’s open windows prayer challenges us. The dangerous anointing isn’t a cloak to hide under; it’s armor for the fight.
Let’s talk about a possible consequence of carrying the dangerous anointing-
V. The Anointing Leads to the Pit (Daniel 6:12-17)
Daniel’s enemies spring their trap. They catch Daniel, report him to King Darius. Darius—bound by his decree—orders Daniel into the lions’ den.
Here’s the paradox: the anointing that lifted Daniel now drops him into the pit.
But you know what?
This isn’t God abandoning Daniel—it’s God positioning Daniel.
The dangerous anointing often leads through the valley, not around it.
Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross” (Matt. 16:24).
Whether is a cross, or a lion’s den—they’re part of the path.
One of the most famous examples from the bible- Joseph- From the pit, to Potipher, to Prison he went. The more he stayed faithful, the worse his life got.
But all of those experiences were necessary to elevate him to the palace.
But it probably didn’t feel good going through it.
That’s the purpose of the pit- to test you, to strip away the worldly props you depend on instead of God, but it’s where you learn God’s nearness.
Let’s look at the result of the pit-
VI. The Anointing Unleashes God’s Power (Daniel 6:18-23)
King Darius spends the night sick with worry over Daniel.
In the morning, he rushes to the lion's den, only to find Daniel, untouched by the lions.
Daniel tells King Darius
Verse 22: “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have done me no harm”
This is the payoff: where danger peaks, God’s power shines. The lions’ den becomes a stage for a miracle. Daniel doesn’t just survive—he thrives. The anointing doesn’t prevent the pit, but it unleashes God’s mighty power within it.
Why don’t most of us see these kinds of examples of God’s power?
Because we avoid the risk. If you spend your life avoiding risk, you don’t see the miracle. You won’t see lions’ mouths shut unless you face them.
The dangerous anointing takes you where God’s glory breaks through.
The pit became Daniel’s testimony.
What lions are you facing this morning?
Your lions might be doubt, sickness, rejection. The dangerous anointing says: trust God. He’ll shut their mouths.
And that leads us to the final, and most important point
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VII. The Dangerous Anointing Glorifies God (Daniel 6:24-28)
Daniel’s story closes with justice—his accusers take his place in the lions den, and the lions have no mercy.
Darius, most powerful king in the world of that time decrees, “The God of Daniel… is the living God… his kingdom shall never be destroyed” (v. 26).
Daniel’s ordeal turns a pagan king into an evangelist of God’s glory.
That shows us this truth- The dangerous anointing isn’t just for you—it’s for the world.
Daniel’s faithfulness doesn’t just save him; it shifts an empire.
Whatever pit you might be experiencing, if you endure it with faith and trust, it will become a megaphone for God’s name.
That’s the anointing’s endgame—God’s glory.
Conclusion
So, what’s "The Dangerous Anointing"?
It’s God’s call to a life that’s wild, costly, solitary—but alive with His power.
If you are afraid of the lions this morning- seek God’s presence and power and asked to be dangerously anointed.
Then you won’t fear the lions’ den—because it’s where God meets you. You know, most try to life safe lives and which is why they only see God dimly.
But we who live during this time in history are called to carry the dangerous anointing.
So, open your windows. Pray boldly. Trust in the pit.
The dangerous anointing is a privilege—costly, yes, but the reward of knowing God like the heroes of the bible knew HIM.
Altar Call- “Take My Life”- worship response.
