Daniel Determined that He Would Not Defile Himself

 

When I started this blog series, I decided to carry my Bible with me while I take my morning walk in God's woods, unless it is raining like it is today. As I near the end of my walk, I open the Bible to wherever page God leads me. (Again, if it is rainy, I wait until I come back inside.) I read aloud the chapter that begins on that page and listen for the verse that stands out to me. That's how I select the verse as the base for each blog post. Please understand that I am not necessarily trying to interpret that verse when I write. Instead, I am writing about what that verse means to me in the moment.

This morning, when I flipped open my Bible, I landed on the first chapter of the book of Daniel for the second time. The first time I read that chapter, I didn't really have any strong feelings toward any of the verses, so I tried again and got another verse. When I landed in the same place again this morning, I immediately knew that God wanted me to see something.

I have known for a long time the story of how Daniel and the young Hebrew men chose to not eat the king's rich food. God strengthened them with only vegetables and water, far more than those who took the king's food and wine. There is even a diet plan, the Daniel Plan, based on the idea of eating simple foods and trusting God to give you the nourishment you need, but that's not what this verse means to me today.

Especially since I started working from home with only the dogs to keep me company, I realize that I have been spending a lot more time online to keep myself occupied when I am not actively working. Each week, Apple gives me an update about the amount of time I have spent online. Most recently, my phone said that I spent an average of over 6 hours per day! I spent almost as much time on my phone as I did sleeping each day last week.

Yes, I have to spend a lot of time online to complete my job, between research, video conferences, emails, etc., but that does not account for the amount of time I spend scrolling through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. I gain very little from social media. We can all say that we like to use those platforms to keep up with family and friends, but I am able to admit that the majority of my time spent on those apps is wasted.

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king's food, and I admit that I would have to classify much of the food I eat as defiling to my body. But more importantly, I admit that much of what I consume online is defiling to my mind. I don't need to read people's complaints about politics or rants about someone else's behavior, and I don't need to compare myself to how other people live. Those things do nothing more than defile me.

I am not actually opposed to social media because I do think there are many positive things, if you look in the right places. However, it takes a conscious effort to adjust your focus. Thankfully, as always, God tells us where to look. Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable--if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy--dwell on these things."

Heavenly Father, forgive me for consuming things that defile me, physically, mentally, and spiritually. Help me, Lord, to focus on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. Help me to dwell on those things that are praiseworthy. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.