Be a person of conviction; refuse to compromise

By Editor | May 23, 2013 |

Recently, I was watching a well-known television preacher. He was speaking on the courage to stand by your convictions.

Of course, this triggered my thinking and caused me to reflect upon my own convictions.
As a Christian, am I willing to stand up for what I believe in? Are there times I’m tempted to compromise my values? Has my life been diminished as a result of my compromise?
The prophet Daniel was a man who refused to compromise in the face of adversity. Daniel was an interpreter of dreams for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Because of his skill, he found favor in the king’s eyes, even though Daniel worshiped the one true God. In time, though, a new king by the name of Darius came to power. He was tricked by his subordinates to sign an edict that if anyone prayed to another God and did not bow down to Darius, he should be thrown into a pit of lions.
Daniel refused to compromise his faith: “Daniel knelt down, prayed, and praised his God three times that day, just like he always did” (Daniel 6:10). As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.
But because he refused to compromise his convictions, God protected him by shutting the mouths of the lions. Daniel said, “They haven’t touched me because I was judged innocent before my God” (Daniel 6:22).
Daniel’s refusal to compromise had a domino effect on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who also refused to sell out to the king (see Daniel 3).
Have you thought about the words you use, the actions you take and the beliefs that you hold? There are eyes watching you – and those eyes could be a spouse, a son, a daughter, a co-worker or a fellow church member. Would people who know you best say of you: “I know him/her to be a person of conviction; they refuse to compromise their values, even at the risk of great personal or professional loss?”
We need a few Daniels in our churches today! We need fathers and mothers who hold true to their beliefs, even at the risk of losing fame, power and prestige.
Where are the Daniel’s of today?