Daniel 1:8
Daniel lived a triumphant life in Babylon. He lived a clean life in an unclean society, a holy life in an unholy society, a pure life in an impure nation, a righteous life in an idolatrous environment, an undefiled life in the midst of moral defilement. He was like a white lily growing in a dirty surrounding without any stain on it. The source of his triumphant life was divine and the strength of that life was prayer and faith. The root of his principled life was God’s grace and the sustaining power was his firm decision, importunate prayer life and unwavering faith in God. With his spirit focused on God’s glory and his heart given to God (from which He could rule and reign without a rival), his firm purpose to remain faithful to God was absolute. Believers in Babylon must take heed, watch and pray lest they partake in the sins, and lifestyle of Babylon. The culture of Babylon must not be allowed to defile the conscience of believers.
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Daniel had no choice, whether to live in Babylon or not; he had been taken captive along with other Jews from Jerusalem in Judah. But he had a choice as to what kind of life he lived. He chose to live a life free from every form of defilement. Defilement is not limited to eating and drinking, either in the Old Testament or in the New Testament, but he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” Unclean meat, food or meat sacrificed to idols, idolatry, witchcraft and sorcery, immorality, transgression and sin, evil of every kind, all defile the man (Leviticus 11:44,45; 18:24,30; 19:31; Ezekiel 20:7,18,19,43; 37:23; 1 Chronicles 5:1; Hebrews 13:4; Psalm 106:39-42; Matthew 15:18-20).
Daniel knew that defilement would bring God’s judgment and wrath on him, so he purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Like Daniel, we too can have God’s grace and spiritual strength to be free from all defilement of idolatry, immorality and iniquity.
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Consecration And Purpose Of Heart Against Defilement
Daniel 1:8; Psalm 17:3; Deuteronomy 32:46,47; Joshua 22:5;? Psalms119:105,106; 119:1-3; 141:4; Proverbs 4:23-27; Luke 9:51; Colossians 3:1,2; 2 Timothy 3:10-14; Acts 11:23.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart.” Issues of life come from within the heart. His heart had been enlightened by the Word of God. A strong conviction had been established in his heart and to him truth was not relative but absolute. He judged the proposal and provision of the king by the demand of God, the great King of heaven and earth. He meditated much on the Word of God and considered the danger and eternal consequence of defiling himself. Regardless of the consequences of rejecting Babylon’s lifestyle he purposed in his heart to fear God rather than? men – even men of authority and might. His purpose was to please God and leave the consequences in His Hands. Fear of man destroys faith in God, faithfulness to God and the very foundation of a righteous life. Fear of man weakens the heart, enfeebles convictions and shakes the very foundation of a firm purpose.
“Daniel purposed in his heart,” not in his head. The heart, not the head, is the seat of our spiritual life, the spring of life’s principles, the source of strong affection and man’s actions, the fountain from which all spiritual and vital actions flow. As the heart is, so our life will be. Our lives can never rise above the state of our hearts. A conviction that originates from a sanctified heart, a principle that is rooted in a purified heart, a purpose that is implanted in a renewed heart, will lead to a righteous and holy life. Convictions floating like unsettled notions in the mind, borrowed principles stored in the head, shared by friends but not fixed and rooted in the heart do not produce sanctified, triumphant lives. When the heart is quickened and sanctified by God’s grace, the life of faith and holiness will be a constant reality wherever we find ourselves – in Jerusalem or in Babylon. A firm, settled purpose of heart is indispensable for a consistently righteous life in Christ.
Comprehension And Perception Of Heart Free From Defilement
Daniel 1:8; Acts 15:22-29; Mark 7:20-23; Hebrews 12:15-17; James 3:6; Matthew 15:10,11,18-20; Psalm 119:1-3; James 1:26,27; Hebrews 13:4; Revelation 21:27.
In preserving himself holy and acceptable to God while training in the Babylonian school and living in the world’s pagan city, Daniel’s purpose of heart was to keep himself pure, free from all defilement. Daniel’s definition and understanding of “things that defile” was based on the scriptures he had been taught from childhood. For the Israelites, unclean animals and birds, meat sacrificed to idols and wine, part of which had been poured as libation to an idol, were all defiled and defiling. These provisions from the king’s table were thus defiled and Daniel’s conscience would not accept such free provisions. So, he “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”
“That which defileth man” goes beyond idolatrous food and drink. Daniel knew this and we ought to know it as well, so that we can be cleansed and remain free “from all filthiness (defilement) of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). “To keep himself unspotted from the world” and “undefiled in the way” (James 1:27; Psalm 119:1), the believer must be free from the “abominable customs” of the world (Leviticus 8:30; 1 Peter 4:3,4), from any involvement with “familiar spirits, wizards” (Leviticus 19:31), from “all evil” and “transgressions” (Ezekiel 20:43; 37:23); we must be watchful over ourselves so that we are not “defiled with our own works” or “our own inventions” (Psalm 106:39,40). The teaching of Christ ought to be taken to heart as we purpose in our hearts not to be defiled.
“And he said, ‘That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man’”?? (Mark 7:20-23).The Son of God can make us free and keep us free from all defilement – from all sin. His power can make you what you ought to be, His Blood can cleanse your heart and make you free; His love can fill your soul and make you live a victorious and triumphant life.
Clear Conscience And Purity Of Heart Without Defilement
Daniel 1:8; Acts 24:16; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 3:15,16; 1 Timothy 1:5,19; Psalm 24:3,4;? Matthew 5:8; Acts 15:9; 2 Timothy 2:21,22; Ephesians 5:25-27.
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself . . . therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel’s aim in all things, in all places, in all situations and at all times, was to have “a conscience void of offence toward God.” His was a noble pattern of life based on a noble principle of conviction. Whatever the cost or consequence, God’s glory was the focus of his life. His great and noble desire was to be pure, to be free from every form of defilement, to please the Lord, and no pain, peril or possible persecution could bend his will to Babylon’s culture or religious practice.
His constant aim was to do whatever God demands and to avoid whatever God forbids. He had been well-taught in the Scripture of truth, his spirit was responsive to God’s still, small voice, his heart was pure and holy, his motive was God-honouring and self-effacing, his conscience was enlightened and sensitive. Not even an appearance of evil would he excuse or allow in his life. His private life was to be as pure as his public life. Even in Babylon, Daniel refused to allow anything into his mind, his spirit, his heart, his body, his life, anything which would offend God, anything contrary to God’s truth, purity or His pure worship and excellence. If only Christians would live such a Christ-honouring life today.
Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone. Dare to have a purpose firm. Dare to make it known. Many mighty men are lost, daring not to stand. Dare to be a Daniel. Have a firm purpose to stand for truth and righteousness; be faithful in small things as well as in great things. Purpose in your heart to be undefiled and pray for grace to live as God commands.
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