Please open your Bible and read:
(Daniel 1:1 – 17)
Every believer is responsible for exerting a godly influence. Through our example and testimony, we are to bring people to a better understanding of Jesus Christ and the way to follow Him.
? From what we know of the prophet Daniel?s life, he was a man who used his influence wisely. His consistent witness impacted his friends as well as four kings and their kingdoms. Daniel possessed a strong conviction that every word of Scripture was true. He consequently declined to eat food from the king?s table because Exodus 34:15 forbade consuming anything offered to idols (this was a common practice in Babylonia).
Daniel?s commitment to God outweighed any fear of reprisal for turning down royal provisions. The Lord honored Daniel?s conviction by ensuring that he found favor among powerful men. He also gave Daniel and his friends wisdom and knowledge that would serve them well as royal officials – positions that guaranteed godly influence would spread throughout the kingdom.
Life Lesson: Biblical perspective on the end times
Experience It: Walk in the power of the Holy Spirit
We are not likely to have opportunity to influence kings, but our example can have impact in a workplace or neighborhood, or even across generations. As was true of Daniel, a godly influence is rooted in the Bible. We must believe the book is God?s inerrant Word. If our convictions are not based on scriptural principles, the pattern of our life cannot be consistent, and we will chase after preferences instead of standing upon doctrine.
Therefore, a commitment to stand on the bedrock of God?s Word is not negotiable.
About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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