I Will Not Defile Myself

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself … (Daniel 1: 8)

It would serve us well if we remembered that Daniel and his three friends were not the only Hebrews from royal blood who were taken from Jerusalem (v 6). Why this? Because most people tend to think that they were the only Jews that were taken to Chaldea. Second is that we think that all the Jews were like these three youngsters, which is not true.

That purpose is what made them stand apart. The ones who had not that purpose disappeared in the woodwork, simply speaking. You see making a definite stand for God as and against all that stands to give us a definite advantage in this world gives God a chance to display His power.

What had that to do with meat? You see meat to the Jews was always sacrificial. Someone didn’t just kill an animal. How sure were they that the Chaldeans did not have something similar to that as an honor to their gods? The same went with the fats and oils.

I am sure the other princes had wiser reasoning to support their enjoying the dainties. For the most part the butchers and cooks were eunuchs from captured nations. As such it was improbable that they would want to offer sacrifices to a god who had taken their manhood away. They also were not from the same nation. In any case nobody knew what went on in the kitchens. Why split hairs over something you don’t have evidence for? And of course the food was good in all respects. It made your mouth water long before you saw it.

Eating only boiled sukuma wiki appeared foolhardy to anyone with half a mind. It was not only tasteless and not nutritious but it was an insult compared to the food the others were eating. And no wonder their boss was scared for his life if he gave in to their demands!

And therein was the distinction.

Then shall ye return, and discern (distinguish) between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3: 18)

As you read the rest of the book (Daniel) you see that the ones who feared to split hairs and ruffle feathers simply disappeared. We don’t even know who they were and the inconvenience they feared causing was the spiritual end of them.

Does this have a lesson for us today? Can Daniel teach us to make godly choices for our times? Do we face such dilemmas in our times? Can we determine like Daniel not to defile ourselves?

Will I choose to use the OFF button of my TV more often? And why so? How many programs are there which have the capacity to build my faith? How many are wholesome?

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I determine NOT to watch programs that are attractive for the wrong reasons, betrayal, infidelity, immorality, worship of mammon, sedition. 

I determine NOT to watch programs that are being sponsored by companies that produce items that are against my faith (gambling, drinking, immorality etc.)

I determine NOT to watch or listen to programs that have respondents who are displaying sinful lifestyles. This includes most call in programs.

I determine NOT to listen to or watch religious programs which contain more advertisements than the Gospel.

I determine NOT to tune in to stations with questionable names.

I determine NOT to support stations that are sponsored by enemies of the Gospel

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil (Isaiah 33:15)

I determine NOT to be held captive by news since they feed me with negative input.

I determine to listen to God instead of the politicians since He is the one who has never given a false promise. I will listen to Him to guide me on the kind of leader I vote for.

I determine NOT to continue having bosom friends who do not espouse godly values

I determine NOT to convene or attend meetings whose agenda God would not approve

I determine NOT to enjoy jokes that are rough and indecent (Ephesians 5: 4)

I determine NOT to visit internet sites that are only wasteful of my time (Ephesians 5: 16)

I determine NOT to post vanity on my webpage

I determine NOT to use my internet access to display my worldly wisdom or folly

I determine NOT to spend more time on the net than is essentially needful

I determine NOT to post anything on my page that will not bring glory to God

I determine to use the internet TO BRING GLORY TO GOD

I DETERMINE TO UNASHAMEDLY STAND OUT FOR GOD AT ALL TIMES

God bless you