Dan 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.

                   

The book of Daniel begins with King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of Babylon, ransacking Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar had a love for young foreign talents. He ordered his eunuch to select handsome and intelligent young men, both of the royal family and of the noble Israelites, to serve at his court in Babylon. Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were young men chosen. The training would last for three years and during this time, they would be served with the finest Babylonian food and wine which were supposed to improve their physical and mental faculties. Unfortunately, the food was not fit for the Jewish people. 

Many would love the thought of eating good food and wine. But not Daniel and his three friends. They knew as Jews they should not be eating the king’s dainties. They said NO to those good food and wine. They chose a vegetarian diet and water. They requested the eunuch to give them a ten days trial on their vegetarian diet and if they looked worse than everyone else after that time, they would eat the king’s dainties. At the end of ten days, they ended up looking better than the people who were chowing down on the Babylonian meat and wine. 

We need our young men and women to be like Daniel and his three friends. How did they overcome the temptations that were put to them? The scripture says that “Daniel purposed in his heart”. It means he has fixed his heart. Daniel made up his mind to eat and drink only what God had approved for His people to eat. His heart was fixed to do the right thing; he would not waver or compromise. 

The scripture also says Daniel did not want to “defile himself with the portion of the king's meat”. The word defile means to pollute, to stain, to mar, spoil. It is to make something or someone unclean or impure or to corrupt the purity or perfection of something or someone. Daniel wanted to keep himself pure; he did not want to become corrupted by eating the unclean meat and drink. 

Today, so many professed Christians have become defiled by the “king’s meat and wine”. What are the “king’s meat and wine” I’m referring to? It’s anything that does not edify the spirit. Scripture is silent concerning many modern vices, such as smoking, taking drugs, pornography, and playing the lottery, because they did not exist in Biblical times. So, how do I know they are wrong? I check those things with the Bible principles. Those things are certainly inconsistent with moral principles based on the Scripture. One vice that is too common these days is the viewing of corrupt programs on TV. Nowhere does the Bible set TV off limits for the people of God. Yet the Bible does say: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Those corrupt TV programs serve to corrupt the minds of the viewers. They certainly are not in line with holiness. 

How can we overcome temptations?

1. Resolve not to sin. Like Daniel, we must purpose in our hearts not to defile our bodies and spirits (Psalm 1:1).

2. Follow the Scripture. Like Daniel who knew he was a Jew, choose to follow the commandments of God because we are Christians (Psalm 119:11, 105; Acts 5:29).

3. Choose to be holy. Daniel did not want to defile himself with the king’s dainties. We must choose to flee corruption from this world (1 Peter 1:14; 1 John 2:15-17). 

God had plans for Daniel and his three friends. But for these plans to come to fruition these four young boys had a choice to make; they had to choose not to defile themselves. God has plans for us too. And, He needs us to be holy for His plans to come to fruition. Are you holy and fit for His use? “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:20-22). 

Young men and women, flee youthful lusts and you will be vessels of honour for the Master.

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.