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 eunuch’s that he might not
defile himself. (Daniel 1: 8 NKJV)
If we must live a victorious Christian life, then it is
important for us to not only know who we are in Christ but to be conscious
of it. When we are conscious of our identity, there are places we cannot
go to, there are companies we’ll not keep and there are things that
cannot even happen around us.
Daniel was one of the captives from Judah who were to serve
in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. As part of the preparation to serve in
the palace, Daniel was appointed special meals, drinks and maybe
clothing.
We all know that it is a great privilege amongst slaves to be one of the king’s servants but Daniel knew better than to trade his identity for the king’s esteemed office. He may be a slave in Babylon but that couldn’t change his true identity as a royal priesthood.
We all know that it is a great privilege amongst slaves to be one of the king’s servants but Daniel knew better than to trade his identity for the king’s esteemed office. He may be a slave in Babylon but that couldn’t change his true identity as a royal priesthood.
Daniel was so determined not to defile himself with the
king’s delicacies that when he made the first appeal to the Eunuch and
he denied him consent; he had to talk to the steward.
It was just food and drinks. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, right? How could a slave have been so FULL of himself? Daniel knew he was the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore could not condone any form of defilement (1 Corin. 3:17).
It was just food and drinks. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, right? How could a slave have been so FULL of himself? Daniel knew he was the temple of the Holy Spirit and therefore could not condone any form of defilement (1 Corin. 3:17).
How many times do we go out of our way to protect and preserve our identities as Christians?
Nobody was looking and nobody could have cared if Daniel ate the king’s food or not. His Pastors and co-workers in Church were not there to criticise him but he knew that God was there and only that mattered to him.
No matter how clean a glass of water is, if you dip a needle in dung and let only the tip of the needle touch the water, you and I will not drink that water again. Don’t permit any form of contamination, no matter how small.
Nobody was looking and nobody could have cared if Daniel ate the king’s food or not. His Pastors and co-workers in Church were not there to criticise him but he knew that God was there and only that mattered to him.
No matter how clean a glass of water is, if you dip a needle in dung and let only the tip of the needle touch the water, you and I will not drink that water again. Don’t permit any form of contamination, no matter how small.
It was all of these that prompted God to show Himself in
their cases as much as He did. Hold on to your identity, it brings down
His glory and deliverance.
If you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, then you must be far from defilement! Be conscious of who you are!
Lord, please help me to be conscious of the fact that I am Your ambassador and give me the grace not to fail You.
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