Requirements of a Godly Influence
Read | Daniel 1:1-17
Every believer has the responsibility to be a godly influence. Through our example and testimony, we are to help people gain a better understanding of Jesus Christ and the way to follow Him. From what the Bible tells us about the prophet Daniel, he was a man who used his influence wisely. His consistent witness impacted not just his friends but also four kings and their kingdoms.
Daniel possessed a strong conviction that every word of Scripture was true. He consequently declined to eat food from the king’s table, because Exodus 34:15 forbade consuming anything offered to idols (this was a common practice in Babylonia). Daniel’s commitment to God outweighed any fear of reprisal for turning down royal provisions.
The Lord honored Daniel’s conviction by ensuring that he found favor among powerful men. God also gave Daniel and his friends wisdom and knowledge that would serve them well as royal officials—positions that guaranteed godly influence would spread throughout the kingdom.
In all likelihood, very few of us will have opportunity to influence kings. But our example can have impact in a workplace or neighborhood, or even across generations. As was true of Daniel, a godly influence is rooted in the belief that the Bible is God’s inerrant Word. If our convictions aren’t based on scriptural principles, the pattern of our life cannot be consistent—then, we’ll chase after preferences instead of standing upon doctrine. Therefore, a commitment to stand on the bedrock of God’s Word is not negotiable.
