The Line I will not cross
Sermon Series: Life Choices
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of food from the king’s table, nor with the wine he drank: therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel 1:8
The Power of Choice
Choice (or freewill as some would call it) is truly an incredible gift. To think that exercising this powerful tool can either result in good or bad, to be for something or to be against it, to hold on or let go. The power to choose can lead to either life or death. If used properly, the gift can bring peace. If used wrongly, the same gift can lead to conflict and peril. That is the power of choice. When you think about it, this gift is either a precious treasure or a tormenting curse.
Consider the text as Daniel placed his life in jeopardy with a choice. It was a choice that others did not make and yet one that Daniel had no reservations on making. To him, the choice involved both his body and soul. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of food from the king’s table, nor with the wine he drank. This single act would propel his life on a course to promotion but also to problems and some hazardous outcomes. Yet Daniel serves as one of the great examples of one who made “wise life choices” a lifestyle. The impact of Daniel’s choice would not only shape his own life and relationship with God but also serves as a spiritual role model for others seeking the godly life. Yes, Daniel decided there will be a “line I will not cross.”
When it comes to making choices, we must understand that every choice has an outcome or consequence. It is also true that every choice holds the person responsible that made the choice. No one can ever honestly say, “I had no choice.” To say that “no choice” was available is false; some confuse the act of not choosing as no choice. The Bible gives many examples of those who claimed they had no choice, but God held them accountable for their actions. One example was the person with the one talent. When the day of reckoning came, he attempted to excuse himself by blaming his master as one very demanding and serious. But that did not justify him hiding his talent. His master replied, “if you knew this, why didn’t you take the talent (money) to the exchangers to at least gain interest upon my return.” The person could not answer and was punished for his bad choice. Life has choices, but far too many make the wrong one.
A poem by an anonymous author brings out some interesting lessons on making wise life choices:
I CHOOSE: to live by choice not by chance.
To be motivated and not manipulated. To make changes, not excuses.
To excel and not compete. I choose self-esteem over self-pity.
I choose to listen to my inner voice; not the random opinions of others.
I continue to do the things that others won’t do – so I can continue to do things that others can’t. I choose. Anonymous.
Aristotle said, “Excellence is never an accident … it is always the result of intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution … it represents the wise choice of many alternatives … Choice not chance determines destiny.” I’m sure Daniel thought about his choice, prayed about his choice, and sought counsel from godly friends over that choice. The end result was that Daniel chose God over gain.
Drawing the Line
When Daniel and his three friends found themselves in a strange land with strange customs and spiritual practices, they had to make a choice. They were Jews and of the royal seed. They were representatives to other Jews who had also been taken into captivity. Their actions would be examples to other people. Yes, they were young. Yes, they were victims of cruelty. Yes, they were under tremendous pressure, but rather than making a bad choice they made the choice to not defile themselves. Why would the put themselves in a dangerous position of defying the king’s protocol and practices. They knew that eating the king’s food and drinking the king’s wine would lead to worshiping the king’s idol. They drew the line. They said, “we will not defile ourselves.” That drawn line could have led to death, but they said, “we will not defile ourselves.” The key is to be determined in your heart and trust God for the outcome. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of food from the king’s table, nor with the wine he drank.
What was it that gave Daniel and his associates the spiritual fortitude to reject the king’s food and wine? This verse and several others bring out four factors that influenced their power of choice. These four factors helped them draw the line between what they would and would not do even though they were in a strange land with strange customs and idolatry.
First Daniel chose purity over pleasure. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of food from the king’s table, nor with the wine… Not being defiled was something Daniel learned as a child. While being reared in his hometown of Jerusalem, Daniel was taught the ways of the Lord. It included dietary laws and customs that honored God. To choose anything else would have meant to become defiled or corrupted by the world. Daniel chose to adhere to the dietary laws as a discipline of his life. He sought to honor God rather than enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. While all the other captives were enjoying delicious food, that by way was dedicated to an idol god, Daniel and his friends were eating bean soup. They chose purity over pleasure. How many times have godly people been in the position to choose and they chose pleasure over purity? Some have claimed they were too weak to fight, but really, there was a choice to be made and unfortunately, the wrong choice prevailed.
Daniel also chose piety over power. Putting the dietary restrictions aside for a moment, the choice went further to look at what was at stake. Daniel and his friends were selected to be candidates for leadership in the king’s court. This was now in jeopardy as well as their lives. The one in charge of the eunuchs was not very keen on Daniel’s suggestion and at first rejected Daniel’s proposal. He said to Daniel, “I fear the king who appointed me to give you this food and why should you look malnourished as compared to the other young candidates; you will place my life in danger before the king.” Daniel 1:10. The chief over the eunuchs based his decision on power and to preserve himself. Daniel suggested that he try this plan for ten days and give them “pulse (bean soup) and water and at the end of ten days determine if the diet work. Daniel’s heart was toward serving God versus making a career move. This should challenge many believers who have chosen power over piety. They choose to skip Church for work. They choose to compromise their values for business deals. Some even choose the path of dishonesty if it means getting ahead. Daniel said, “there is a line I will not cross.”
The third choice involves prayer over promotion. While the text does not specifically state that Daniel prayed, there are other passages in the Daniel narrative that his entire life was centered around prayer. The text does show that he was willing to risk his career for the sake of devotion to God. Daniel 1:12-13, he responded to Melzar, “test your servants ten days … then examine us as well as the other young people that ate the king’s portion and judge the outcome.” Daniel had no guarantees that this plan would work but he believed that God would give them a good outcome. Why else would he make such a statement of confidence unless he believed in God? Sure enough, God honored Daniel and his companions with health and vitality to not only pass the test, but they were more nourished than the others. There is no doubt that they prayed over their food and gave God thanks. There is no doubt that they prayed that the plan would work. There is no doubt that they prayed that God would give them favor. Daniel drew the line with prayer.
This brings us to the fourth choice of praise over pride. Very often the greatest temptation in life is not how we will decide in bad times but how do we handle the seasons of plenty and times of blessing. People turn to God when they get in trouble but often forget God in the good times. Daniel 1:17 speaks of the exceptional gifts that God gave Daniel and his four friends. They had wisdom and understanding, they possessed exceptional knowledge in visions and dreams. They were successful. So how did Daniel handle that success. Daniel 1:21 gives this comment. Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. That verse is a summary of Daniel’s devotion and commitment to remaining true to God. His praise was offered to God daily. His praise was offered through submission to God’s will. Daniel’s praise to God to him through times of testing, visions, and even a lion’s den. Daniel kept pride in check because he lived a life of praise. Daniel drew the line and did not cross.
Is there a line drawn in your life? If not, you can draw one today. It is the line of trust as you turn everything over to Jesus. He will help you draw your line correctly.