The Right Motivation

“The king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego.

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, ‘I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.’ But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, ‘Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.’

So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.” Daniel 1:5-15

After he was taken into Babylonian captivity, Daniel refused to defile himself by eating food from the king’s table. He was committed to serving God without compromise and knew certain foods were not allowed by Jewish law. However, the Law was not the motivating factor behind Daniel’s decision. It was his unyielding devotion to God that persuaded the commander to serve him vegetables instead of meat.

Many people rationalize their lack of obedience by shifting the blame to others society. Phrases like, “Our world is changing and I must change with it” undercut obedience. When God calls us to obey certain principles written in His Word, He makes no apologies.

The Bible says, “God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander...” (Dan. 1:9). When our motivation is fueled by a sincere love and desire to please God, He always provides a way through the temptation.

What is the motivation of your heart? Is it self-gratification or glorification of Jesus Christ? When you seek Jesus above the things of this world, your life will look strange to those who are lost. Make sure the motivation of your heart matches His call for your life.

The way you respond to temptation reveals the depth of your devotion to God.