Pollution-Free Zone

By Bishop Keith A. Butler

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.
Daniel 1:8

In the Book of Daniel, we read that King Nebuchadnezzar wanted to develop some young men who could help him run his kingdom. He selected men for a three-year program to be trained in language and all of the things necessary to administrate the kingdom. Daniel was one of the young men chosen.

The word defile means pollute; Daniel made a decision that he would not pollute himself. The king had ordered that the men in this training program were only to eat the best and drink the best from the king's table, but Daniel made a decision that he wouldn't pollute himself by receiving anything that the heathens received.

Many who work in the business world right now have this decision to make. They work for different corporations, and their bosses want them to party, drink, gamble and do all kinds of questionable activities in order to make a sale. These people have to decide whether to prosper at the hands of men and defile themselves or to draw the line.

Can you imagine the pressure that was on Daniel? At one point, the man charged with overseeing these men in training, said, "Look, you're going to have to eat and drink this, because if you don't look great, the king's going to have my head."

Daniel prevailed upon him to do things Daniel's way, and the man was willing to put his life on the line for Daniel. In other words, God gave Daniel favor.

Because of Daniel's commitment to remain pure, he-along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego-became ten times better off. Daniel would live through the reign of four kings in a position of top adviser.

Prayer for Today

Father,
Help me to always remember that promotion comes from you. Favor comes from you. Through the strengthening power of the Holy Spirit, I choose to remain pure, to look only to you. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Selah: Think on These Things

• Psalm 75:6
• Daniel 1:17-21