The Value of a Pure Heart Daniel 1: 8-21

click to Read the passage: Daniel 1  (a new browser window will open)

v.8 1. It holds a genuine desire and commitment to please God.

(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.)

v.10 2. It protects the heart from hearing the wrong voice.

(And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who

                hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces 

                worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me

                endanger my head to the king.)

v.12 3. It requires a willing separation from the world, diligently followed.

(Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to

eat, and water to drink.)

We are deceived today.

We think the way to gain is to follow the ways of the world, rather than the ways

of God.

We may not even realize it.

We cannot think like the world, cannot follow after the world, cannot go where

                the world goes, cannot make decisions like the world does.

v.17 4. It adorns the heart with God’s gift of true wisdom.

(As for these four children God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and

wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.)

v.20 5. It brings spiritual insight to bear on problems.

(And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,

he found them ten times better than tall the magicians and astrologers that were

in all his realm.)

If man’s ideas are followed, it will interfere with the work of God’s choice.

God’s solution is the need.

If we propose anything else, we interfere with what God is doing and cause the

hurts of others

v.21 6. It anchors the future work of God in your life.

(And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.)

Without God’s anchor, a person grows farther away from God rather than closer 

to.

7. It is never a disappointment.

6: 22

                What did Daniel have when the king asked for an interpretation? a pure heart

When he was falsely accused?  a pure heart