Resolve is a word people tend to not use, let alone display, much anymore. Those who resolve to do something are usually devoted to a creed or belief, principle, or course of action – or in the case of some, following the teaching of a person – and display discipline, being able to exercise control over their own emotions, thoughts and actions. Usually, when we come across people like this, we use words like admirable, courageous, and life-changers to describe them. I have found another word to describe people like this, even within Christian circles unfortunately, and that word is…  rare!  As we dive deeper into thoughts on this, consider the verse below from the Book and life of Daniel:

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.
Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8 (ESV)

When Daniel resolved not defile himself, he was displaying a determined decision to do what was right before God regardless of the pressures exerted on him to conform to the world that he found himself captive within, and also regardless of the cost (which could have been some form of punishment, or even death, due to not giving into to the king’s command). He made a firm resolution to follow a course of action that would glorify his God, acted on it, and then stood firm in mind, will, and action in that.

Like the culture Daniel found himself living within, any honest evaluation of the modern culture we live within would conclude it is hostile to the things of God and increasingly condemning of any who would profess Christ. It seems “hell-bent” to exert whatever pressure it can muster to lead those of us who believe and live for God to compromise in our faith and walk with Him. Their goal – to force us to acquiesce to their way of thinking and abandon our God, the One Who establishes the ethic we are to live by as His followers, and conform to – live like – the “acceptable norms” of the world around us. And again, just like Daniel in Babylon, merely wanting to live for God with a desire to walk in His truth is not enough to protect us from the onslaught of temptation.

If there are keys we can grasp from the life of Daniel pertaining to living in a culture hostile to the things of God, perhaps the first would be this – if we are to fully be governed by and walk with God in today’s world, we first MUST resolve, like him, to resist the pressure to conform to the world’s wayward and sinful thinking, making a firm, resolute, unyeilding, and determined decision to obey God regardless of cost. A second key, embedded in the verse above, is that it is easier to resist temptation to compromise by planning ahead before we find ourselves confronted with it. Expending time and energy cultivating a circumspect, thoughtful, approach to combat the culture’s attack against the things of God will serve to undergird and strengthen our determined decision to not compromise. I guess the question on this front is this –  have you, like Daniel, made the determined resolute decision to not defile yourself with the “king’s delicacies” of this world? This mindset of being prepared beforehand is crucial to our staying the course of glorifying God with our lives and sticking to our convictions grounded in the truth of His Word, overcoming the pressures exerted upon us to compromise. Put simply, show me a Christian who is not walking circumspectly in this world, with a resolute and determined decision to be governed by and to follow God at all cost, and I will show you a Christian that is susceptible to compromise.

Mustering up the determination to walk with and be governed by God, which is the vital first step to overcoming the pressure and sway of this world, you might ask “What are some important aspects of our daily walk with God we need to cultivate to solidify that decision?” Glad you asked… in short, here are a few of the most important and necessary aspects to cultivate:

1. Read, study and meditate on God’s Word – The more you come to know the Word of God, the more you will establish God’s truth as your direction for life, and the more Godly wisdom will be available as you combat the pull of this world to compromise.
2. In obedience, apply God’s Word to you daily life – While foundational and greatly beneficial, reading, studying, and meditating on God’s Word and His truth is only the beginning. As followers of Christ, we are called to obediently put His Word into action.
3. Pray for wisdom – Walking circumspectly and without compromise requires Godly wisdom, and His Word makes it clear He gives wisdom to those who humbly ask of Him in faith. By combining rightly applying God’s Word and truth in our life with seeking Him in prayer, God will provide for us wisdom on how to navigate the pitfalls of life.
4. Be sensitive to the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit – True wisdom acknowledges the vital role the Holy Spirit plays in directing and guiding our lives. He actively applies God’s truth to our daily walk, illuminating the path we walk so that we don’t stumble and exposeing the wiles of the enemy so that we won’t succumb to his temptations and attacks.

5. Surround yourself with, and seek to learn from, godly people – We, as believers, are warned throughout God’s Word to be watchful of the company we keep and to seek out those who are like-minded with us. Being diligent to associate with those who display a resolve and commitment to God and have a track record of walking in His wisdom will not only be instructive to us in our walk but also serve as an encouragment to us that it is possible to overcome the pressures of this world.

Are you ready to fully be governed by God? It will take a determined and resolute decision to do so, a decision that is exemplified by a circumspect approach to living in a culture that is hostile to the things of God, unconcerned with the cost of doing so. It won’t be easy, but it will be more thna worth it.

Until next time… be resolute and determined!