HOW CAN I BE A GODLY STUDENT?
-An Address to Students

---

The world is not a friend of Christians. Christian students will face tension and struggles in their walk with God. There will be struggles to obey God and remain true to the convictions of what the Word of God says or to compromise knowingly or unknowingly.

It is not God’s will to take us out of this world. He wills that we shine in the many hostile conditions. We can learn many lessons from the life of Daniel who lived in a very hostile environment, which I believe is, more hostile than any of us could imagine.

Daniel chapter 1 tells us that in his youth, he was taken away from family and parental guidance and religious influence to a pagan society and put through great temptations and a regime that sought to brain-wash him so that he would become like just ‘one of them’. He maintained his testimony and passed with flying colours. How did he do it?

ANS: Dan 1:8 “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.” [Emphasis added]

We shall try to list down the things that Daniel purposed in his heart to do in Daniel chapters 1 and 6, which are recorded for our edification.

DANIEL PURPOSED IN HIS HEART

1) ..not to defile himself. (Dan 1:8 ) i.e. that he might not become spiritually unclean in eating food that had been offered to idols or prohibited by God in His written law in Leviticus. Do you determine to keep yourself spotless and undefiled in this present evil world? 2 Pe 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. Do you keep yourself away from activities that will defile you and cause you to lose your Christian testimony? Are you doing anything that God prohibits you to do this day? The Christian witness begins with a convicted heart to holy living and followed by a determined will to keep it.

2) ..not to fear man. (Dan 1:8 ) Daniel, unlike many people, was a courageous (not reckless) youth. He went to the prince of the eunuch to request that he might be excused from that activity that would cause him to be defiled or compromised. Do you have the courage to request to be excused from ungodly activities and are you prepared to accept the consequences knowing that your Heavenly Father is sovereign?

3) ..to live by faith. (Dan 1:8 , 12 ) Daniel knew his God and that God was with him. He had the faith to trust God to care for him. I ask you also to have faith in God to take care of you. Our God’s hand is not short that He cannot save. Where there is a way out, be sure to take it only if it is according to the will of God, else, wait on Him and He will not tempt you beyond what you are able for He is faithful. He can save with or without means. He is a miracle-working God? He can do the impossible. All you have to do is to obey Him and when faced with a difficulty, just trust Him to take care of everything and never compromise your Faith!

4) ..to be diligent always. (Dan 1:20 ) Daniel and friends were diligent in their studies and years of training. It is true that God gave them wisdom and understanding, but in order to learn and be skillful, nothing short of diligence and perseverance will do. I have been a school teacher for over 10 years and have encountered many students who were gifted but ill-disciplined and lazy. Then there were students who were less gifted but were diligent and persevering, and have succeeded and excelled.

5) ..to be blameless before men. (Dan 6:4 ) The other presidents could not find fault with Daniel though they tried long and hard. This speaks volumes of Daniel. Do you complain that your teachers “always find fault” with you? How about your parents or older siblings? Whilst we cannot be perfect, we can live a blameless life. Do your best according to God’s Word. Listen carefully, clarify if necessary, and don’t allow forgetfulness to become your hallmark. Make every effort to note down things you must do and bring to class, appointments to keep, etc. if you tend to be forgetful.

6) ..to be faithful. (Dan 6:4 ) Discharge your duties conscientiously and with accountability. Take pride in your given tasks no matter how small; do it that God will be praised. You are the representative of God. Do not give anyone cause to blame you for slothfulness or negligence. Will God say “well done” to you in your role as a student? You have a number of roles to play in school and at home. Be faithful in each one of them.

7) ..to keep the law & command of God. (Dan 6:4 ) Daniel was known for this by his enemies. Do you purpose in your hearts to know the law of God and to obey like Daniel? Ezra the scribe did. Ezr 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. It should be the case for every child of God.

8) ..to keep spiritual priority. (Dan 6:10 ) Daniel communed with God even though he was busy running the largest empire on earth; he prayed three times a day even when there was a threat of being thrown into a den of lions.

9) ..to trust in God and never be bitter. (Dan 6:10 ) Watch your spirit, while trusting in God. Never become bitter for your loving Father in heaven knows what is best for you. Rejoice evermore! Pray and acquiesce in the peace of God.

10) ..to give thanks always. (Dan 6:10 ) Not some of the time, but in all things and in every outcome. Give thanks even if you are cast into the “den of lions”!

11) ..to be disciplined. (Dan 6:10 ) Three times a day, Daniel set aside time to pray. Unlike many who say that they are too busy to pray, Daniel, being the chief of the presidents and faithful in his duties, found time to pray. Luther said that no matter how much work he had to do he would never begin the day without 3-4 hours of prayer. How disciplined are you in reading your Bible and in praying? I don’t mean just saying your prayers as a duty but to earnestly pray. If you want the power to live a life like Daniel, remember his secret?pray without ceasing.

12) ..to manage his time well. (Dan 6:10 ) In order to spend time in prayer, Daniel had to manage his time well. If you want to be a godly Christian student, you must be able to manage your time. You have to make time for your godly priorities. You have to redeem your time. You have to sacrifice the lesser things in life- gaming, internet chatting, blogging, shopping, partying, etc.

13) ..to know God intimately. (Dan 6:10 ) When Daniel’s enemies came to catch him “in the act”, they found him praying and making supplications before his God. He was having an intimate communion with his God. Daniel knew his God and was known of Him.

14) ..to confess the name of God unashamedly and to make His greatness known. (Dan 6:16 ) Daniel purposed in his heart to glorify God and to make him known. He was no secret believer. The king knew about Daniel’s God and acknowledged (although not in faith, but in the mind) that this God was able to deliver Daniel from even such a hopeless situation. Do our unbelieving friends see Christ in us by our deeds and words?

15) ..to magnify the Lord in trials. (Dan 6:22 ) Daniel trusted in God to deliver him from the den of lions. God delivered him and he gave God the glory.

16) ..to serve God. (Dan 6:16 , 20 ) Daniel was known by the king to be one who served God. You need to determine in your heart to serve him now, as a student, or else you will not serve him after you start work and have a family.

CONCLUSION

Daniel passed with flying colours as a godly man living in an ungodly world. He purposed in his heart and did that which was right. When the heart is right, right deeds will follow. May you and I emulate the fine example of Daniel.