Resist The Devil

Introduction - Open your Bible this evening to Daniel chapter 1.

I am thankful that the Lord guides and directs in our lives and that we can rely wholly upon Him.

I am so thankful because I can tell you that all of this—- is beyond me.

What I am mean to say is that I cannot accomplish God’s will in my own life without His enablement.

I am utterly dependent upon the Lord.

And I pray that you have come to this understanding as well.

For we cannot be a light in this world— without being yielded to Him.

Consider what the Lord tells us in John 15:5 “5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

And I simply saying to you and I tonight as we begin in this second message, that we must be dependent upon the Lord.

Look with me please in the 1st chapter of Daniel.

Daniel 1:3–8 “3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Lets Pray

Last Sunday we began with an introduction and understood this simple thought that you and I are living in perilous times.

This is what Paul counseled Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

This span of time is referred to as the “times of the Gentiles…”

Luke 21:24 “24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”

Romans 11:25 “25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.”

And that period began with this first dominating world power, the nation of Babylon. We presently are living in tail end of that time.

We are also living in a time we call the ‘church age.’

It is an undisclosed period of time— in which God is dealing with this world through His church beginning from Acts 2—and referenced in Matthew 16:18 until the rapture of the church found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

The book of Daniel does not directly address the church because it is dealing with Israel and the Gentile world. (Daniel 9:24-27)

However, the church does come on the scene— between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel’s vision (Daniel 9:24-27).

One of the major thrusts of this book— I believe is to show us how to live as lights in a dark world. As we said last week, we know that we living in perilous days.

But this is not a time for us to be silent.

In Acts 18:9 I am reminded that Paul needed encouragement from the Lord to continuing speaking about the Lord. The Bible says, “9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:”

And I want us to take this to heart— that now is not the time for us to be silent.

This is not a time for us to be us to sit down.

Paul at one time had to deal with those who had decided they would sit on the sidelines just waiting for the return of the Lord.

And can I say tonight, that now is not a time for us to punch out…. This is not the time for us sit down but to stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 2 Thessalonians 3:13 after having addressed this problem, the apostle Paul exhorts them… “13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.”

The dark days are not days to sit down, they are not days to be silent.

And lastly,

This is not a time for us to seek cover or run away.

Oh my friend, I know what it is to think about going away— far away to be separated from the burdens of this life.

To seek cover— from it all! But you and I are not called to seek cover or run away.

We are to minister where the Lord has us!

Can I say tonight it is a time for us to be salt in this world!

James 4:7 sets the tone for the message tonight, “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

I want you to consider for a moment—- the phrase found in James 4:7— “Resist the devil…”

Do you know what we discover here in the first chapter of Daniel —- exactly what James tells us in the 4th chapter and the 7th verse— and that is to resist the Devil.

If I could write a banner and put it over the door as we leave this place—-

In big bold letters—- I would write to see as we leave this place, “Resist the Devil…”

And the truth of the matter, we cannot be lights in this world— without resisting the Devil.

I want us to see— very specifically Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah resisted the Devil.

You say pastor you are using there Hebrew names, we know them as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego….

And that is how they stick in the minds of the children, but could I challenge you to think of their Hebrew names. — We will deal with that shortly.

The Devil knows that if He can get us to adopt worldly philosophies… and a worldly lifestyle.

If He can get the Christian to compromise just a little bit—and settle for a form of Christianity that denies the power of God, to settle down and put His energies and efforts into temporal things… He has succeeded in sidelining you.

In Daniel chapter 1, we see this taking place.

I. Gifts Of God

Notice with me in verse 4.

Daniel 1:3–4 “3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”

These were brilliant young men. They were— as we see here of royal heritage.

And God enabled them in such a mighty way.

Notice— they were well-favored. God had blessed them physically. According to this passage, they had no blemish. And it seems they were well taken care of.

Can I say — as we think of these young men— God has blessed us as well!

Friend, we ought to thank the Lord:

A. The Health He Has Given Us

Did you know there is people dealing with substantially worse health than what you have right now?

And the Lord forgive us for not recognizing how good He has been to us—- until it is gone.

You might say to me tonight— pastor— I’ve got some tremendous health challenges that no one else knows about.

And that may be so— but can I say, you have enough health to be here tonight.

You can see me with your two eyes.

You can hear me with your two ears.

You walked into this place.

And I am just trying to tell you— that regardless of all the health specifics you may be dealing with tonight, there is something we can thank the Lord for.

B. The Heritage He Has Given Us

Now we see here, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were of the royal line.

And in case you did not know— if you are a child of God, you too are of the royal line.

Oh my friend, we ought to thank God for our spiritual heritage!

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

Revelation 1:6 “6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Not only should we thank the Lord for our life in Christ, but many of us ought to thank the Lord for the spiritual investment others have made in our lives.

We do not know much about these young men prior to this chapter.

But there must have been something right going on in the home… for when the time of testing came, they stood as lights in a dark world. They had a good heritage.

But I think we are blessed thirdly because of:

C. The Head that He Has Given Us

What I mean by that is how God has made you.

When I look out at the diversity of folks here at Liberty Baptist Church, I am thankful to God for blessing us!

These Hebrew young people were skillful and wisdom, and knowledge, and had the ability to conduct themselves rightly.

Where did these talents come from?

They came from Almighty God.

Has it ever occured to you that when God created these young men, He did so understanding all that would be befall them…. in every point of their lives?

He gave them what was necessary— that they could bring honor and glory to Him!

And likewise you and I— have been given exceedingly precious gifts!

It is so interesting to me, as I get to know the church family more and more, you begin to see what gifts and talents that God has given them.

And God has unusually equipped you for this time and for this moment….

And I say again, what are you going to do with the moment God has given to you?

What are you going to do— with the gifts that God has given you?

See, right here at the beginning — these young men were going to have to make a choice—-

They will have to decide what they are going to do with what God has given them.

And so it is with you and I.

You might say, pastor I do not have to decide—- right now, Ill just figure it out as time goes on.

Well as we will see here in a moment, the time to decide is always today and never tomorrow.

I want you to note secondly, not only do we see the gifts of God, but realize the:

II. Grip Of This World

These young people found themselves in a moment—- in the grip of this world.

I am so afraid for young people today— that as soon as they step outside of the protective boundaries of their homes, that the world is just going to crush them.

I think you and I can sum up what is going on in this 1st chapter—- by what we read in Romans 12:2 “2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

I know we quote that verse often…but it is so powerful what is stated there. There is of course the admonition not to be conformed to this world.

But further, I believe we ought to understand that the world is attempting to conform us! — This is the truth also revealed in Romans 12:2.

So what happened to these young men?

I believe there is a threefold plan revealed here of the enemy. Can I say— that the enemy has a plan.

Will you look at it with me?

First of all they attempted to isolate them from their beliefs and their people.

A. Isolate

They separated these young men from their people, and surrounded them with the idolaters of Babylon.

You and I must understand that there is something to be said, for surrounding yourselves with godly influences.

Nebuchadnezzar’s plan convert these young men to their ways and to do away with their spiritual heritage…. to erode and replace what they had been taught, with the heathen their wicked beliefs.

In verse 3, we see they were placed in care of the Master of Eunuchs. This by the way was foretold in Isaiah 39:7 and 2 Kings 20:17-18.

Can I tell you that we ought to understand how important and vital it is to stay connected to other believers in this world through the local New Testament church!

We say—- come to the church meetings— but this is to help you resist the Devil… and in God’s wisdom is to combat the plan of this world and the Devil.

We’ve got enough problems with the world and the devil trying to isolate us from godly influences—-

Not only did they try to isolate them… But watch this, they attempted to change their:

B. Identity

Daniel 1:6–7 “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.”

Their names had spiritual meaning. They were named based on the beliefs of the family.

It is so interesting to me today— that still in our English culture certain names reference Almighty God.

I found a website— that listed some 100 names that still retain this spiritual reference to God.

Matthew for instance means “gift of God” in the Hebrew language. Joel means “Jehovah is His God”…. And Michael—- you probably know means “Who Is Like God?”

When we say the word ‘Christian’ my friend—- that name has meaning and biblical roots from the book of Acts… and yet the world would love nothing more than for you to drop the name Christian.

I am glad for our Baptist heritage— because being a Baptist is a distinct doctrinal position — but some in a effort to be more welcoming to the world want to drop the name Baptist…

And so— they attempt to change their name.

Daniel’s name means— ‘Judge of God’ or ‘God is my judge…’, this they changed to Belteshazzar meaning ‘Whom Bel favors.’

The young man Hananiah— His name means “Jehovah has favored” —- this they changed to Shadrach— which means ‘Illumined by the Sun God’

Mishael— which means ‘Who is as God’ they changed to Meshach—- which means “Who is like the Shach— which may be connected to Venus”

And lastly, Azariah which means “The one whom God helps” they change to Abed-nego which “The servant of Nego or Nebo”

And so I think we ought to emphasis to young kids and the Adults alike not to memorize their names of idolatry— but their biblical names Daniel—Hananiah, Micheal, and Azariah.

Can I tell you without a doubt that the world and the Devil are attempting to change your identity as well?

They attempted to isolate them, they attempted to change their identity, but lastly, they challenged their:

C. Integrity

Look with me in Daniel 1:5 “5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.”

What a generous king.

Whether He knew what He was doing or not, the children of Israel had specific dietary guidelines they were to follow.

This is one of the things that set them apart from the rest of the Gentile world.

God tells them that they are to eat this way— to make a difference between what is clean and unclean— and that because He is holy— they were to be holy. (Leviticus 11:44-47)

And so— they attempt to challenge their integrity…. Do you know how easy it would be for them to make all the excuses in all the world to eat of this food…?

And how many times have you heard someone say— well pastor that is just the way the world is today—-

And so what are we to do?

III. Guidance For Today

It is found in those three words…. resist the Devil.

You know the Devil has one policy—- If God is for it, He is against…. And can I tell you that if the Devil is for it—- we can safely assume that we are to be against.

You see— the Devil is Wiley… the Devil is Subtle…. and friend, can I tell you if you walking with the Lord and a situation comes up where you begin to feel uneasy— you better pay attention!

Sometimes it is— we might not be able to put our finger on what exactly wrong with the situation…

It always better to err on the side of caution… if something is questionable— there is a reason it is questionable.

Notice a few things about the response we see here:

A. Courageous

Do you know what real courage is? It is walking with God— even when no one else will.

It is being willing to be God-led and not world-driven or flesh-driven.

Now we have all of this explanation up to this point, but notice one word in the text in verse 8.

It is turning word, “But…”

Let me illustrated to you this way—- the world, the flesh and the devil are going to continue to fight against those who are the Lord’s.

They are making there moves on the chessboard of life….

This is what we find in these first seven verses…the question is, what will be your move?

Did you know this, that you do not have to go the way the world is going?

Did you know this, that you do not have to act, just because “everyone else is doing it?”

I imagine there were more in this group than just Daniel and His three friends.

I imagine there was a crowd of individuals who saw absolutely nothing wrong with the indoctrination that was taking place.

Friend, I am just going to tell you that everything that is called “Christian” is not.

And this word, ‘But’… is such a word of hope. It shows against the crowd and against the situation— there was one who was courageous.

And can I say that you too— are to stand for God even if no one else will.

Secondly, He was,

B. Committed

One of the keys to being a light in a dark world is a sure commitment to Christ.

Notice the words recorded for us here in Daniel 1:8 “8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

Do you see the word—- ‘purposed.’ Friend this is an act of will, a commitment to God.

“Daniel, it seems, formed this as a “decided” purpose, …,” for His life… It was a matter of principle in His life.

Would to God there would be a whole host of Christian soldiers today that would commit themselves to live for the Lord— regardless of the darkness that abounds.

Are you willing to be one of those who will commit to the Lord?

Would if no one else around will commit, friend will you commit to the Lord?

Listen here is another clue we see in this passage, that before the meats and the wines entered into the room— Daniel decided this is not for me.

I’m so glad young folks are getting instructions on some “before’ commitments they need to make to the Lord— but it is not just for young people… every adult needs to before commit that the too are going to stand for the Lord before temptation comes.

Not only do we see courage and commitment— but look at this — Daniel’s decision was:

C. Compelling

You see, like or not other Christians are watching you. And more than that, those that are without are looking at you!

You will notice in verse 12, that this stand of faith did not just remain with Daniel— but somehow he affected Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah…

Do you know we have a tremendous account of those three later on — they make such a bold declaration of faith…

But I wonder if we would even be reading about them in chapter 3 with the fiery furnance…. — if Daniel had not made his stand here in the 1st chapter.

You see your walk with God— is compelling to others… perhaps your stand for the Lord today will make a difference in the life of others tomorrow.

Lastly, I believe Daniel showed great courage, He was committed to the Lord, His actions compelled others, but fourthly, He was

D. Convinced

Daniel 1:12 “12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”

Daniel was so convinced of living for His God—- that He declared—- just prove us!

And can I ask the question does your life prove the reality of God’s ways being the right way?

You know we can say alot with our lips— but when people see you stand for the Lord and that the Christian life works— it is a powerful testimony for the Lord Jesus Christ!

Shouldn’t it be for you and I that are lives are so dynamically different and the results are so dynamically different that people have to declare like these wicked rulers in 15—-and as Nebuchadnezzar declares in the second chapter—- that your God is a God of gods… and a Lord of kings….

I am reminded of the kids song…. Dare to be a Daniel:

Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known! Standing by a purpose true, Heeding God's command,

Honor them, the faithful few, All hail to Daniel's band!

Will you be the one to resist the Devil?

Let’s pray