Commit to memory: “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.” (Daniel 1:8 KJV)
The Lord is a God of principles and patterns and to enjoy His transformation and lifting in our lives, we must subscribe to His value system of operation. One of which is to have a heart that is right before Him. When you have a heart that is ever panting after God and righteous before Him, you will begin to experience God’s ability working in your life. Why? Only God’s kind of results can bring transformation and lifting. Say this with me: “I have the ability of God working in the inside of me”.
The Bible says “Daniel proposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” To influence men, you must let your light shine not glow. To produce change and results that will be lasting and impact lives, you must make your heart right with God and you must be determined to be righteous in all your ways. Your mind is a battlefield. The Bible says “you should be very careful about what you think, for your thoughts control your life.” This is because your greatest victories are won or lost first in your mind.
In 1Kings 11:4, 15:3, the Bible says “and Solomon’s heart was not right with the Lord his God as the heart of David his father.” This means that until your heart is right with God, the struggle continues. Job 22:21 says:
“Acquaint now thyself with God and be at peace with Him. If you do this, good will come unto you”.
So to be one step ahead on the battles of life, the first gate you must secure is your heart. Let it be righteous and pure before the Lord. Why? A heart that does not stand for something is a gateway to a life that will fall for anything. Until Daniel ordered his heart aright, he did not make any request to the Prince of the Eunuchs. That is why it’s very important to keep your heart aright, stop defiling your heart, think right, be careful of things you allow access to form images in your heart, speak right. Do you desire relevance in God’s agenda of things? Do you want to be a victor? Start from your heart. Guide the thoughts of your heart with all diligence; stop exposing your heart to things that are corrupt and unproductive. Guide and guard it.
Reflection: You cannot get your heart into the right place when your heart is still in the wrong place.
Prayer: Father, make my heart right and pure before you as long as live.