Determine not to defile yourself!

Memory verse

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief eunuchs that he might not defile himself. - Daniel 1 : 8 (NKJV)

As a young person growing in our present day world, it'll not be new to you if I said the times we live in are treacherous. A lot of us have found ourselves in situations where we had to decide either to honor God or dishonor His name. I look back at my life especially in areas where I have not done too well and realize that a little more discipline on my part would have made a lot more difference. We can learn a lot from Daniel's decision as a young man even in a foreign land. He was far away from home away from the influences of parent and guardians. All the same, Daniel purposed not to defile himself. Many young people of today believe that somehow it’s not possible to say ‘NO’ to the worldly attractions in the many forms they present themselves be it partying, having illicit relationships, drinking, smoking etc. They feel that somehow the account of the biblical characters who stood for the right even during times when their lives were threatened are mere fables and are not practicable. Denying the validity of these accounts is as equivalent to saying that the bible is not real and is just a collection of made-up stories. Needless to say, the bible tells us of the prophet Elijah, who being a man of like passions as we are, prayed that it should not rain for 3 years! If the story of Elijah ‘a man’ like everyone one of us is true, then there is absolutely no reason for us to conclude that the accounts of Daniel in the Babylonian palace refusing the king’s delicacies and that of Joseph refusing a sexual advance from his master’s wife should not be true. These men though pushed to the wall, stood for what they believed in, and upheld the name and honor of God even in daunting circumstances. Their secret? They purposed in their hearts. Such a victory can be ours too in today’s extreme world. We only have to rely on God for strength and like Daniel and the three Hebrew boys who were miles away from home and supervision, purpose in our hearts and it will be well with us.

As I wrap up this short piece, I leave you with the words of apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10 vs 13 –

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may also be able to bear it.

Remain blessed.