Bible Text: Daniel 1 & Ephesians 6 | Speaker: Bla | Series: Daniel | The Pressure of Living Out Your Faith
Daniel 1, Ephesians 6:10-20
         Ephesians 5:14 tells us to “stand firm” but it is difficult to stand firm under pressure.  Life is full of constant pressure.

Daniel 1 describes the pressure that Daniel and his three friends were under.  They were transported from the land of Israel to Babylon to be indoctrinated with the culture of Babylon.  They were coming from a God-centered culture to a totally different one in Babylon.

We need to be aware of the enemy’s strategy to stop believers from sharing Jesus and it is by establishing a worldview or casual Christianity whereby we believe and live like the world. Today 70 percent of Americans claim to be Christians yet only 30 percent attend church regularly. For others, it is only one hour a week time for God.

Know that we are under attack by the enemy and the world.

The names of Daniel and his three friends were changed because they had a connection to           God and proclaimed His sovereignty.

Daniel:          God is my Judge.

Hananiah:     God is full of grace.

Mishael:        Who is like my God?

Azariah:        God is my help.

We need to choose our battles wisely. Daniel and his friends did not fight against the change of their names but did when they were commanded to eat the king’s food.  The food was probably used in pagan worship and was a symbol of connection with the king. Ephesians 5:15-16:  Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Resolve to stand firm. Daniel 1:8a:  Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine…  Focus on God for direction and not on the pressure.  Notice that there is no mention of complaining in Daniel 1.
Choose to do the right thing in the right way. Daniel 1:8b: …he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
Keep praying. Ephesians 5:18: … pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  This is the only way to overcome the world and maintain a God-centered focus despite the pressures of life.