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.

The heart’s desire of a true child of God must be to fear defiling the holiness of God.

We make resolutions but cannot follow through for various reasons. We cannot take the steps that would ensure compliance. Daniel could have feared to suggest to the chief official to permit him to abstain from the royal delicacies. What young man would not delight themselves in them? But not Daniel! His major priority was God and His holiness.

When our heart truly years to honor and glorify God, we will move to do so, regardless of the perceived obstacle. The obedient child of God is a person of faith, and that faith carries them along the treacherous path to glory. What motivates them is the glory of God. Their faith energizes them to glorify God with their obedience. That is the Daniel example worth emulating.

Unfortunately, we have focused on the result of Daniel’s determination not to defile himself with the royal food without giving proper attention to the heart and effort that birthed it. We have given it a beautiful name that everybody proudly huddles under its shade. They call it the Daniel Fast. I do not consider it as fasting. It was a deliberate decision to avoid defilement—a strategic move to avoid sin. It was a bold step away from temptation.

Did Joseph fast when he rejected the wife of Potiphar? 

The world is presenting so much that glitter and appeal to the flesh. They sparkle and seem innocent. However, those enticing? offers seek to divert us from a deep commitment to holiness, if not to move us to outright sin. Our insensitivity to the Holy Spirit succumbs to their proposals, so we fall most of the time. We rationalize and brush them aside as nothing, but they are something. It is a favorite tactic of the enemy to weaken the Saint. As the saint goes, so the church—weak in testimony and exploits for the Lord.

May we focus on the holiness of God always and strive to avoid everything that defiles. The grace of God is available to carry you if you want to honor Christ as Lord.