the source and strength of the triumphant life 1

7/31/2019 The Source and Strength of the Triumphant Life 1

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THE SOURCE AND STRENGTH OF THE TRIUMPHANTLIFE Daniel 1:8

Daniel lived a triumphant life in Babylon. He lived a clean life inan unclean society, a holy life in an unholy society, a pure life inan impure nation, a righteous life in an idolatrous environment, anundefiled life in the midst of moral defilement. He was like a whitelily growing in a dirty surrounding without any stain on it. The

source of his triumphant life was divine and the strength of thatlife was prayer and faith. The root of his principled life was Godsgrace and the sustaining power was his firm decision,importunate prayer life and unwavering faith in God. With hisspirit focused on Gods glory and his heart given to God fromwhich He could rule and reign without a rival, his firm purpose toremain faithful to God was absolute. Believers in Babylon musttake heed, watch and pray lest they partake in the sins, andlifestyle of Babylon. The culture of Babylon must not be allowed to

defile the conscience of believers.

Daniel had no choice whether to live in Babylon or not; he hadbeen taken captive along with other Jews from Jerusalem in Judah.But he had a choice as to what kind of life he lived. He chose tolive a life free from every form of defilement. Defilement was notlimited to eating and drinking either in the Old Testament or inthe New Testament but he purposed in his heart that hewould not defile himself. Unclean meat, food or meatsacrificed to idols, idolatry, witchcraft and sorcery, immorality,transgression and sin, evil of every kind, all defile the man(Leviticus 11:44,45; 18:24,30; 19:31; Ezekiel 20:7,18,19,43;37:23; 1 Chronicles 5:1; Hebrews 13:4; Psalm 106:39-42; Matthew15:18-20).

Daniel knew that defilement would bring Gods judgment andwrath on him, so he purposed in his heart that he would not defilehimself. Like Daniel, we too can have Gods grace and spiritualstrength to be free from all defilement of idolatry, immorality and

iniquity.

1. CONSECRATION AND PURPOSE OF HEART AGAINSTDEFILEMENT

1. Daniel 1:8__________________________________________________

2. Psalm 17:3__________________________________________________

3. Deuteronomy

32:46,47_____________________________________________

4. Joshua 22:5__________________________________________________

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5. Psalms119:105,106___________________________________________

_____

6. Psalms 119:1-

3__________________________________________________

7. Psalms

141:4__________________________________________________

8. Proverbs 4:23-

27__________________________________________________

9. Luke 9:51

__________________________________________________

10. Colossians

3:1,2__________________________________________________

11. 2 Timothy 3:10-

14_________________________________________________

12. Acts 11:23. __________________________________________________

But Daniel purposed in his heart.Out of the heart arethe issues of life. His heart had been enlightened by the Wordof God. A strong conviction had been established in his heartand to him truth was not relative but absolute. He judged the

proposal and provision of the king by the demand of God, thegreat King of heaven and earth. He meditated much on theWord of God and considered the danger and eternalconsequence of defiling himself. Regardless of theconsequences of rejecting Babylons lifestyle he purposed inhis heart to fear God rather than men - even men of authorityand might. His purpose was to please God and leave theconsequences in His Hands. Fear of man destroys faith inGod, faithfulness to God and the very foundation of arighteous life. Fear of man weakens the heart, enfeebles

convictions and shakes the very foundation of a firm purpose.

Daniel purposed in his heart, not in his head. Theheart, not the head, is the seat of our spiritual life, the springof lifes principles, the source of strong affection and mansactions, the fountain from which all spiritual and vital actionsflow. As the heart is, so our life will be. Our lives can neverrise above the state of our hearts. A conviction that originatesfrom a sanctified heart, a principle that is rooted in a purified

heart, a purpose that is implanted in a renewed heart, willlead to a righteous and holy life. Convictions floating like



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unsettled notions in the mind, borrowed principles stored inthe head, shared by friends but not fixed and rooted in theheart do not produce sanctified, triumphant lives. When theheart is quickened and sanctified by Gods grace, the life offaith and holiness will be a constant reality wherever we findourselves - in Jerusalem or in Babylon. A firm, settled purposeof heart is indispensable for a consistently righteous life inChrist.

2. COMPREHENSION AND PERCEPTION OF HEART FREE FROMDEFILEMENT

1. Daniel 1:8__________________________________________________

2. Acts 15:22-29__________________________________________________

3. Mark 7:20-23__________________________________________________

4. Hebrews 12:15-

17__________________________________________________

5. James 3:6

__________________________________________________

6. Matthew 15:10,11,18-

20_____________________________________________

7. Psalm 119:1-3__________________________________________________

8. James 1:26,27__________________________________________________

9. Hebrews 13:4__________________________________________________

10. Revelation 21:27.

__________________________________________________

In preserving himself holy and acceptable to God whiletraining in Babylonian school and living in the worlds pagancity, Daniels purpose of heart was to keep himself pure, freefrom all defilement. Daniels definition and understanding ofthings that defile was based on the scriptures he had

been taught from childhood. For the Israelites, uncleananimals and birds, meat sacrificed to idols and wine, part ofwhich had been poured as libation to an idol, were all defiledand defiling. These provisions from the kings table were thusdefiled and Daniels conscience would not accept such freeprovisions. So, he purposed in his heart that he wouldnot defile himself with the portion of the kings meat,nor with the wine which he drank.



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That which defileth man goes beyond idolatrous foodand drink. Daniel knew this and we ought to know it as well,so that we can be cleansed and remain free from allfilthiness (defilement) of the flesh and spirit, perfectingholiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1).To keephimself unspotted from the world and undefiled inthe way (James 1:27; Psalm 119:1), the believer must befree from the abominable customs of the world (Leviticus

8:30; 1 Peter 4:3,4), from any involvement with familiarspirits, wizards (Leviticus 19:31), from all evil andtransgressions (Ezekiel 20:43; 37:23); we must bewatchful over ourselves so that we are notdefiled with ourown works or our own inventions (Psalm 106:39,40).

The teaching of Christ ought to be taken to heart as wepurpose in our hearts not to be defiled.

And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that

defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart ofmen, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications,murders,Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit,lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride,foolishness: All these evil things come from within,and defile the man (Mark 7:20-23).

The Son of God can make us free and keep us free from alldefilement - from all sin. His power can make you what youought to be, His Blood can cleanse your heart and make you

free; His love can fill your soul and make you live a victoriousand triumphant life.

3. CLEAR CONSCIENCE AND PURITY OF HEART WITHOUTDEFILEMENT

1. Daniel 1:8

__________________________________________________

2. Acts 24:16

__________________________________________________3. Hebrews

13:18__________________________________________________

4. 1 Peter

3:15,16__________________________________________________

5. 1 Timothy

1:5,19________________________________________________



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6. Psalm

24:3,4__________________________________________________

7. Matthew

5:8__________________________________________________

8. Acts 15:9__________________________________________________

9. 2 Timothy

2:21,22_______________________________________________

10. Ephesians 5:25-27.

______________________________________________

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would notdefile himself ... therefore he requested of the princeof the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniels aim in all things, in all places, in all situations and atall times, was to have a conscience void of offencetoward God. His was a noble pattern of life based on anoble principle of conviction. Whatever the cost orconsequence, Gods glory was the focus of his life. His greatand noble desire was to be pure, to be free from every formof defilement, to please the Lord, and no pain, peril orpossible persecution could bend his will to Babylons cultureor religious practice. His constant aim was to do whateverGod demands and to avoid whatever God forbids. He had

been well-taught in the Scripture of truth, his spirit wasresponsive to Gods still, small voice, his heart was pure andholy, his motive was God-honouring and self-effacing, hisconscience was enlightened and sensitive. Not even anappearance of evil would he excuse or allow in his life. Hisprivate life was to be as pure as his public life. Even inBabylon, Daniel refused to allow anything into his mind, hisspirit, his heart, his body, his life, anything which wouldoffend God, anything contrary to Gods truth, purity or His

pure worship and excellence. Oh, that we might live such aChrist-honouring life today.

Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone. Dare to have apurpose firm. Dare to make it known. Many mighty men arelost, daring not to stand. Dare to be a Daniel. Have a firmpurpose to stand for truth and righteousness; be faithful insmall things as well as in great things. Purpose in your heartto be undefiled and pray for grace to live as God commands.


the source and strength of the triumphant life 1

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