How would you like to be Daniel? Approximately at the age of sixteen he was taken captive (vs.4) and sent off to live in Babylon, a place that was foreign to work of God and to be amongst a people that was anti-God in their living.
The world we live in is tuned to the likes of Babylon … a place that grows foreign to the work of God and where the people grow increasing anti-God (Christian).
And yet it was in Babylon where the character of Daniel would be forged to become a living testimony to the known pagan world that he would live for God regardless.
"Oh do you dare to be a Daniel? On your knees do you stand that tall? Is your conversation faithful? Do you pray when your back’s against the wall? Oh do you do dare to be a Daniel? Do you stand up for the Lord?"
Dare: 1. To have the courage required for. 2. To challenge (someone) to do something requiring boldness.
Daniel stands in God’s Word as a "Dare Officer" giving life testimony of what it is to stand true to God and His Word.
Daniel’s motto might have been: "Always do what is right no matter how much it may cost."
Daniel 1:8-9 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
PURPOSED: to determine; commit; (regard, rehearse, reward)
"A sanctified life is simply one that has been set apart for God’s purposes." - Donna Morley
Daniel determined and committed himself to not defile himself.
Defile: to soil; stain, pollute,
James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
The "dare" is to live so as not to "defile" yourself, mind, body or soul.
1. Dare Not to Defile the Mind
Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
· What’s on your mind? What is on your mind will dictate how you live.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
· Daniel had "purposed" … made up his mind (heart).
· Center of the heart … mind … will … (well willingly wisdom)
· Daniel was not going to "blur" the lines between right and wrong (I know I’m not suppose to do this, but …)
· Making up your mind ahead of time is crucial to obedience … otherwise it is easier to cave into pressures, circumstances, even friends.
· Daniel had committed himself before hand to "just say no" to sin and yes to God (His Word).
Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Psalms 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!
The meditation and memorization of the Word will prevent mutilation of the mind … so as not to defile the body.
2. Dare to Not Defile the Body
… he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
· Where the mind goes … eventually so goes the body!
· Daniel requested not to eat the king’s food so as to not defile himself against God.
· Daniel’s ordeal wasn’t a matter of "vegetarians" verses "meat eaters."
· It was a matter of keeping God’s Word the standard for His life
· God had asked His people to not eat any unclean foods.
Matthew 15:11 "Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."
· Daniel = "God is my judge"
Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
· With his mind made up and his body following the dictates of the heart … Daniel was a light in the midst of darkness.
Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."
3. Dare to Not Defile the Soul
Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
· Daniel merely stood for what was right in the Lord.
· His witness drew the favor of God and the man who was over him.
Proverbs 16:7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
· Daniel valued his relationship with God over that of man.
Matthew 10:28 "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
· With the mind and body pure before the Lord … his soul prospered.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
Conclusion:
Daniel purposed not to defile himself in any way … mind, body, or soul. God honored and blessed him and his friends and showed them to be different looking.
Daniel 1:15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.
Do we look different to the world … because of our dare not to defile? Or does the world around us … friends, family and foes look at us and see no difference?
"Things which were condemned twenty years ago as gross immorality and sin today are countenanced and practiced by Christians as perfectly legitimate."
M.R. Dehaan, wrote those words back in 1947! What would he write today? We act like the world … we look like the world … we sound like the world! Why?
He concludes … "It is not because the standard of morals has changed or sin is less sin than before, but because Christians dare not be different but must imitate and ape the world in its habits, fashions, and conversation." - M.R. Dehaan M.D. "The Prophet Daniel" (1947)
Purpose in your heart from this day on to:
· Control your thought life.
· Set your limits and live by them.
· Gather your allies with God.
Is there anyone who Dares to be a Daniel?
Amen!
