Read: Daniel 1
How does one deal with moral and ethical issues that challenge one to compromise his faith and values? Daniel and his three friends found themselves in a Babylonian culture that eagerly embraced false gods and personal pleasure. Nebuchadnezzar ordered these captive men to eat and drink from the royal provisions. “Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So he asked permission from the chief official not to defile himself” (Daniel 1:8).
They understood from their religious heritage that this food was unclean under God’s law and that it had been offered as sacrifices to pagan gods. Daniel wanted all to understand that only the one true God deserved praise, so he did not want to do anything that would give tacit approval to idolatry.
Daniel’s decision to disobey the king’s command came with risk of serious punishment, even death for him and his friends. However, Daniel also realized that to disobey the sovereign God and compromise his values would defeat the purpose of honoring the one and only God before a pagan society.
Perhaps the apostle Paul thought of Daniel when he wrote, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2). Certainly Daniel and his friends refused to conform to the Babylonian lifestyle. They remained faithful to God, willing to suffer for him.
PRAYER PROMPT: Almighty God, give us courage to remain faithful in a hostile culture, regardless of the consequences. Amen.
Kevin Carrothers serves as director of missions for Salem South Baptist Association and is concluding his second one-year term as IBSA President.