Photo by Pagie Page on Unsplash

Initial Resolve

When we make a stand for our faith, we should remember that this could have an impact on others around us.

We’re often faced with situations in which we feel we need to take a stand for our faith. For example, a friend might encourage us to do something that goes against our beliefs. At these times we may not know the best way to respond. If we take an overly-firm stance, we could unintentionally come off as aggressive or superior which could upset others. On the other hand, if we take an overly-weak stance, people may not take our faith seriously and we may even distance ourselves from our beliefs. In these situations, we can learn a lot from Daniel.

When we make a stand for our faith, we should remember that this could have an impact on others around us.

Setting an Example

In Daniel 1:8-16, Daniel asks an officer if he can eat vegetables rather than the king’s food (which would make him unclean). The officer, fearing punishment from the king, declined his request. So, Daniel asked if he could eat vegetables for just ten days, so the officer could decide after seeing the effect on his health. The officer then allows it, and Daniel and his friends were healthier than everyone else as a result.

It’s clear that Daniel understood the impact his actions could have had on the officer, and he takes the approach of working with him calmly, rather than being stubborn or argumentative, allowing the officer to see from Daniel’s perspective. At the same time, Daniel’s position was steady and he was unshakeable in his commitment to God.

When we make a stand for our faith, we should remember that this could have an impact on others around us. Following Daniel’s example in taking a balanced approach that is humble yet committed is likely to have the most positive effect on our friends and family, and encourages them to understand our beliefs better. As Corinthians 4:5-6 says, may we ‘walk in wisdom towards outsiders’ and show them how the gospel has changed our lives.


Chloe Lee, The Church of God in Cromer

Comments 2
  1. Good article Chloe. Our resolve gets tested in various ways in our Christian lives.There is always the temptation to compromise our beliefs. We need to be watchful and stand firm in the faith (1 Corin. 16. verse 13)

  2. Enjoyed a fresh voice from Cromer, Chloe. I’ve shared it to my FB page, especially for younger folk than me, as part of our ministry while Glasgow churhc doors are closed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Prev
Editorial: Specially Chosen
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Editorial: Specially Chosen

Because of his unwavering love for his God, his steadfast loyalty to the

Next
#BeroeanLikes: Maybe It’s Ok – We Are Messengers

#BeroeanLikes: Maybe It’s Ok – We Are Messengers

Whatever is going on in the world and however isolated we may feel we must never

Verified by MonsterInsights