Traveling Convictions

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. Daniel 1:8-14

What happens in Babylon stays in Babylon, right? Not for Daniel. How easy is it at times to be situationally accountable? We’ve all said things like “it’s Saturday night” or “I’m on vacation” to justify specific behaviors. One time I was in a conversation with someone who had to step outside of the church building before they felt comfortable enough to curse. Daniel and his friends could have loosened up on their convictions, but they did not.

Having integrity and leading with integrity are the marks of a mature follower of God. The man who remains steadfast in his beliefs (which determine behavior) is a man with traveling convictions. No matter the situation, that man must do according to what he believes to be right. Remain steadfast in your beliefs and let Daniel be an inspiration to you today.

DO THIS TODAY: Stay steadfast in your convictions no matter the situation.