Daniel 1:8 But Daniel 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: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Boice says the most important verse in the first chapter of Daniel is verse 8, which says, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine .” It is said that Daniel was between 15 and 17 at this time. In Chapter 3 and 4, the King says to bring children, the word should be rendered young men Children – (((dly yeled yeh’-led – youth of noble blood, who were probably well educated. It was at this young age that he was taken away from his own country and culture, plunged into the strange but exciting life in the great world capital, and lured to loyalty by the best of all possible educations and provisions of the food served to the King, Nebuchadnezzar. Yet Daniel refused to partake of the food.
Calvin says ” Here Daniel shows his endurance of what he could neither cast off nor escape; but meanwhile he took care that he did not depart from the fear of God, nor become a stranger to his race, but he always retains the remembrance of his origin, and remains a pure, and unspotted, and sincere worshipper of God. He says, therefore, — he determined in his heart not to pollute himself with the kings food and drink, and that he asked the prefect, under whose charge he was, that he should not be driven to this necessity… We know how far enticements prevail to deceive us; especially when we are treated daintily; and experiences shows us how difficult it is to be moderate when all is affluence around us, for luxury follows immediately on plenty. Such conduct is, indeed, too common, and the virtue of abstinence is rarely exercised when there is any abundance of provisions.
It is hard for us to perceive this situation, but we are in today’s world enticed by the people around us, especially in our youth when we desire to be in the in crowd,, not be different. When we are young it is so important to be grounded in the Word, to be led by the Spirit. To chose the right friends least we be enticed to walk in the ways of the world. TV alone is enough to give you the wrong ideas about life and how it should be lived. When I was a young person, there was no TV, we could not afford one, and those that had one were not exposed to the type of bad behaviors that our seen on TV today. Most of the time we had good role models.
If you are a young Christian today you are like Daniel in that you live in a world not your own, a stranger in the land. Daniel could have said why should we live by Jewish dietary laws while in Babylon? Let’s eat and drink. It’s just a small thing. It was a small thing. Yet that is the point. For it is in the small matters that great victories are won. This is where decisions to live a holy life are made — not in the big things ( although they come if the little are neglected), in the details of life. Most young Christians want their lives to count for God. When temptation comes, however small, your decision is what counts. Sin is a slippery slope. It always starts out small and it become easier and easier to sin. Proverbs 10:8 He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known. Proverbs 11: 3 The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.
It seems today’s young people learn in school ideas and thoughts that are not Christian, Homosexuality is ok, the Bible says it is sin, but then so is sex outside of marriage, The world is not created by God, but by a big boom or evolution. Who is to teach them, tell them right from wrong. Parents are not fulfilling their role to teach their kids, hence they believe that what they are taught in school is truth. Our duty is not to hate those who practice or teach such things, but to love them and pray for their souls, but teach our young one’s the truth so when they have a decision to make they chose the right one.
Deu 6:7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.c
katagellw kataggello kat-ang-gel’-lo
to proclaim, promulgate:–declare, preach, show, speak of, teach
Joshua 24: 15 – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Dear Lord, help us to serve you this day and every day, fill us with love for others that we may teach them your ways, especially our children so that when they have a choice to make they will make the election for you. Thank you Lord for our children bless them and keep them safe from the evil one. Amen
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