Introduction: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wre commanded by the king to bow down to the golden image set up by Nebuchadnezzar, but they had a F.I.T. They had Faith, Integrity, and Trust.
When we are faced with opportunities to either stand up for what is right or back down in the face of temptation, we can get through it by throwing a F.I.T. as well, by having Faith, Integrity, and Trust.
I. To overcome the temptation to back down from the truth, Faith is necessary.
A. Faith must be Properly Placed.
1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith was properly placed.
a. Their faith was not in themselves.
b. Their faith was in Yahweh (3:17)
2. Our faith must be properly placed.
a. Our faith must be not in ourselves and our own abilitiy to overcome the situation.
b. Our faith must be in Yahweh and specifically Jesus Christ (Mark 11:22,23)
B. Faith must be Persuant to a Promise.
1. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s faith stemmed directly from a promise of God (Isaiah 43:2)
2. Our faith must stem directly from a promise of God. (Romans 8:28)
C. Faith must be Previously Proved.
1. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s faith was based upon God’s proven power in the past.
a. They had seen God perform mircales for others, e.g. the deliverance from Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna in the wildnerness, parting the Jordan, etc.
b. They had seen God come through for them in their own lives (Dan 1:6-15) when they had stood up for what was right.
2. We can have faith based on God’s proven power in the past.
a. We can have faith based on what we’ve seen God do for others in the past, both in the Bible and in history.
b. We can have faith based on what God has done in our own lives.
ex. After God healed me when I prayed in faith, I could have much more faith in praying for others who were sick.
II. To overcome the temptation to back down from the truth, Integrity is necessary.
A. There are three separate influences which are temptations to back down.
1. There is the temptation of the Flute.
a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were dempted by the flute, the natural, fleshy desire to do what is wrong (Dan 3:15)
b. We are also tempted by the pleasure of sin and natural desire to back down (Heb 11:25)
2. There is the temptation of the Fear of the Fire.
a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tempted with the fear of the fire (Dan 3:15).
b. We are tempted by fear of the fire, but God tells us not to be afraid of them, but to be afraid of Him. (Matt 10:28).
3. There is the tempation of the Faithlessness of Friends.
a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tempted by the fact that everyone else was bowing down.
b. We are tempted by the fact that everyone else is doing wrong, but Jesus tells us it will be that way (Matt 7:14).
B. There are three necessary steps to Triumph over Temptation.
1. There is the Decision not to bow down.
a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego first decided that they would not bow down.
b. We must first decide that, no matter what the cost, we will not give in to the temptation to back down in the face of wrong.
2. There is the Declaration not to bow down.
a. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego declared to the king that they would not bow down, regardless of the consequence. (Dan 3:18)
b. We must declare before the world, that we will not bow down.
3. They were determined not to bow down.
III. To overcome the temptation to back down from the truth, Trust is necessary.
A. Trust is Superior to Faith.
B. They trusted in the Sovereignty of the Father.
C. They trusted in sure Salvation in the Future.
Conclusion:
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were able to overcome their temptation to back down in the face of what was wrong, because they had Faith, Integrity, and Trust.
We can also overcome the temptation to back down by having Faith, Integrity, and Trust.
So next time you have an opportunity to stand up for what is right or give in Throw a Temper Tantrum in Times of Trial.
c. 1999
