Resolving Not to Defile

“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”.
      Daniel 1:8

     As those who are sanctified by the sacrifice of Christ, we are required by God not to defile ourselves with the ungodly things of this world. We are commanded to offer ourselves as living and pure sacrifices, wholly submitted to the higher vocation of the Cause of Christ.

     But for the chosen living in a hostile and barbaric land, we are assailed constantly by the world's siren call for immorality.  Immoral urgings are broadcast twenty-four hours a day over the god we call television.  Billboards and magazines attack our senses with livid and pornographic advertising.  Some that we call friends are so blinded by this invasion of sin that they unwittingly act as agents and attempt to defile us with this world's offering.

     Is there no escape?  Through the power of Christ, we possess the resolve not to defile ourselves.  Through the power of Christ, we possess the will to remain pure in a quagmire of immorality.  Through the power of Christ, we possess the assuredly that love and righteousness will always triumph.  Only through fixing our eyes and thoughts on the author of our faith will we be able to escape defilement.  Only by resolving not to defile ourselves will we be able to offer our lives as holy and pleasing sacrifices. 
                      

·   A disciple resolves not to defile himself with the world.
    

·  Application - Where has my faith been compromised for world values and offerings?  How can I conquer that area of my life again for the Cause of Christ?