Your core beliefs

When Daniel was taken to the king's palace, he made a decision to not eat the food the king served. A Babylonian feast was always eaten in honour of the gods. So when people sat down to a meal, it was dining and an act of worship. This food had previously been sacrificed to a pagan god. Daniel took his faith in God seriously, and if he participated in eating what everyone else was eating, it would mean he was compromising his beliefs. By eating their meal, it would appear he was worshipping their god. Eating that food would have compromised his character, and Daniel refused to let that happen. He had decided the things he believed in advance, so when he was faced with that situation, he was strong enough to stick with what he believed.

Let's determine our core beliefs - the things we'll do, or not do, no matter what - upfront. That way, when trials or temptation come, we have a solid foundation to stop us making compromises. The psalmist said: 'How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you' (Psalm 119:9-11 NIV).



So what now? Use God's word to establish your core beliefs and what you won't compromise on. Then ask God to help you stick to them, especially when it gets tough. You are ultimately keeping yourself safe from harm.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.' Daniel 1:8 NKJV
— SOULFOOD —

Dan 11-12, Luke 22:63-71, Ps 16 , Pro 10:15