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A Positive Example

Pastor Bill Farrow

Daniel 1:16

[16] Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

(Verse 16) - Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat… - Doubtless this is to say, permanently. The experiment had been satisfactory, and it was inferred that if the course of temperance could be practiced for ten days without unhappy results, there would be safety in suffering it to be continued. We may observe here:

I. That the experiment was a most important one, not only for the object then immediately in view, but for furnishing lessons of permanent instruction for future times. It was worth one such trial, and it was desirable to have one such illustration of the effect of temperance recorded. There are so strong propensities in our nature to indulgence; there are so many temptations set before the young; there is so much that allures in a luxurious mode of life, and so much of "the good life" and happiness is supposed to be connected with the idea of success, that it was well to have a fair trial made, and that the result should be recorded for the instruction of future times.

II. It was especially desirable that the experiment should be made of the effect of strict abstinence from the use of "wine." Distilled liquors were indeed then unknown; but alcohol, the intoxicating principle in all ardent spirits, then existed, as it does now, in wine, and was then, as it is now, of the same nature as when found in other substances. It was in the use of wine that the principal danger of intemperance then lay; and it may be added, that in reference to a very large class of persons of both sexes, it is in the use of wine that the principal danger always lies. There are multitudes, especially of young men, who are in little or no danger of becoming intemperate from the use of the stronger kinds of intoxicating drinks. They would never "begin" with them. But the use of "wine" is so respectable in the view of the upper classes of society; it is deemed so essential to the banquet; it constitutes so much, apparently, a mark of distinction, from the fact that ordinarily only the rich can afford to indulge in it; its use is regarded extensively as so proper for even refined and delicate females, and is so often sanctioned by their participating in it; it is so difficult to frame an argument against it that will be decisive; there is so much that is plausible that may be said in favor or in justification of its use, and it is so much sanctioned by the ministers of religion, and by those of influence in the churches, that one of the principal dangers of the young arises from the temptation to indulgence in wine, and it was well that there should be a fair trial of the comparative benefit of total abstinence. A trial could scarcely have been made under better circumstances than in the case before us. There was every inducement to indulgence which is ever likely to occur; there was as much to make it a mere matter of "principle" to abstain from it as can be found now in any circumstances, and the experiment was as triumphant and satisfactory as could be desired.

This principle is an important one for us to think about. The idea that small indulgences lead to larger indulgences is a Biblical one. The Bible teaches that if we are faithful in small things that God will then entrust us with bigger (more significant) things. The implication is that it is in that area that the truly significant testing occurs. It is in the small things of life that our consecration and faithfulness to God are tested. Unfaithfulness in small things inevitably leads to unfaithfulness in larger and more significant things. Sin is addictive. It devours more and more, gobbling up all that it can. This is why it is so very important to abstain from even the very appearance of evil. Sin is never satisfied - it presses on and on! Victory in these smaller areas sets a good precedent and an example for the future of what can be accomplished.

There is another area to be considered here as well. What the parent does in moderation, the child does in excess. This is really a tangential idea to what we have said. The parent ought to abstain from even the most minor of sins because he can be sure that his sin will be repeated by his offspring to a greater degree! That is simply Biblical fact! The sins of the parent are vested into the children. Now, God can short-circuit that dynamic and prevent the effect - but that is no reason to ignore the principle! We can take heart that God can and does overcome and free us from such effects.

We need to understand that, in many ways this principle functions positively also. The habits that a godly parent build in his or her life also get passed on and built on by the children. This is very encouraging and ought to motivate us to not only forsake sin, but to be sure that we are developing godliness as best we can! 

I need to be sure that my left is a positive example to those who follow after me.