03/11/2022 – The giant of conformity
I once heard a preacher say, “Any dead fish can swim downstream.” In contrast to the salmon or trout, fishes that courageously swims against the violent waters of rivers, leaping and pushing forward against the waters current. Sometimes leaping directly into the mouth of a hungry bear. It’s as if this fish has chosen to fight against taking the easy way, against the course of the roaring river, just to reach its destination. The waters scream at the fish “you’re going the wrong way”, the bears add saying “I am going to eat you for lunch”. But the stubborn fish will not conform to the environment around him.
Daniel 1:8
8 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 and his companions were determined not to conform to the world system, although his captures attempted to redefine every single aspect of their lives as part of the Babylonian indoctrination program. Daniel would not defile himself. The Babylonians would separate you from your loved ones, introduce you to new foods, teach you a new language, educate you on the Babylonian world view, then finally give you a new name. In the natural sense, how can one fight against such a giant? Daniel’s steadfast stand against the giant of conformity, in one occasion, had him and his friends thrown into a fiery furnace.
Today you may find yourself swimming against the current of this world or facing a world demanding you conform, a world demanding you eat from the kings table, a world wanting to call you by a different name other than yours. A world that will cast you into a fiery furnace unless you yield to the giant of conformity.
Purpose in your heart not to be defile!
Today meditate on this verse: Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”