
It is not unbiblical to stand for what is righteous and to stand ground against demonic issues from authorities when they are contrary to God’s Word and standards! It is actually to ours and God’s benefit that we do not agree with what we don’t believe in or let corruption continue past us through intimidation, carelessness, or silence. To love God and to want this country to be pure and blessed is true patriotism.
For some years now, I’ve considered the fact that the biblical Daniel and his three friends had been pushed to deny God and His ways, by the authority of the time. In each instance, though, they stood firm in righteousness rather than the authority’s ungodly, corrupt example. And in each instance, God defended and supported them…and it brought praise to God. I also consider the motivation these accounts offer to us today.
The first biblical instance comes in Daniel 3, where Daniel’s three friends Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah were ordered to praise and worship a representation of someone other than God and were threatened to be burned to death in a furnace if they refused. In the natual, it was a crisis situation and they had much to lose. But, none of that would have compared in value to treating their relationship to the God, who cared for them, with denial. What they could lose in the natural wouldn’t have compared to loosing their witness, either. So they replied to the king,
“Oh Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, your majesty. But even if He doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, your majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18).
Their boldness was beautiful and their foundation was clearly firm. And just as they had believed, God brought them out of the fire without a single burn and all bystanders recognized that God was the God to respect and believe on.
Daniel also displayed a firm foundation in chapter 6 of the same book. Daniel was faithful to God, but was unfortunately surrounded by those who were not and who were jealous of him. They recognized that the only way they could hurt him was an attack on his beliefs. So they appealled to the king, who passed a law that required all citizens to pray to the king, rather than God. The price of refusing to obey was being fed to lions. Daniel, though, did not give up the invaluable gift of communication with God. Daniel 6:10 reveals how Daniel responses,
“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” (Daniel 6:10)
Daniel didn’t change his relationship with God for the law or cease holding to what was good and effective in his life and, when he was caught and thrown to the lions, God did not permit His creations to touch him!
These two cases hold such a meaningful and applicable message for today. For because none of these figures went along with the corruption, others around them saw God for who He is and that He is the more effective alternative to any other ‘gods’ whom people trusted in. (Examples of these ‘gods’ today can be many things ranging from alcohol, to sexual immorality, to other people’s approval). God also lavished His willing favor on these loyal ones, which is so like God to recognize faithfulness!
These accounts may have happened long ago in old covenant times, but it’s still a relevant example that is rather parallel to what is going on right now in America (and around the world). Issues that are unbiblical and deny God are being thrown at us, attached with verious threats to comply. In the natural, it may seem like we may have much to lose and threats we may receive may sound intimidating, but evaluate what means the most to you in the situation…which is only something each person can decide in their own heart. Is one more willing to stand firm in righteousness or to be like Peter when he initially denied knowing and standing for Jesus? Is one’s witness more important or others’ approval? Is God progress more important or one’s job? Now, I’m not denying that having a job and income is important, but having a foundation in one’s salvation and being led completely by the Holy Spirit in every decision and situation is the key.
I’ve experienced many situations concerning the current issues of cultural trash where, like Daniel and his companions, I was encountering what seemed in the natural like intimidating predicaments, where I had something to lose. I decided, though, to make the spiritual realm and God’s truths my true reality and priority.
I had previously worked with a male who tried to identify as a female, choosing a female name and trying to talk like one. All our coworkers were affirming this by referring to him as a ‘her’ and using the female name he had chosen for himself. I, however, refused to affirm his confusion by referring to him as someone other than what he was born as. Then, one day as I was heading to the bathroom, he cut in front of me and entered the female bathroom! I was in shock and immediately sought out the manager to express intolerance. Though the manager wasn’t comfortable about this worker’s action either, he expressed that he felt a lack of power to change the situation. The manager was very willing, though, to connect me with corporate. I found that corporate was afraid of being sued and offending anyone. I responded to them in a way to motivate them to not follow the way of the world and also that it was unacceptable to allow such an uncomfortable situation. God gave me great boldness to speak and, despite how any leadership would react or what the majority of businesses were allowing, I was going to contend for making a difference and not comply with the confusion Satan has been stirring in this realm!
At another time, I had had a male coworker who was often coming to me, sharing about the consistently negative situations in his life (from him trying to figure solutions out on his own judgments, instead of with Jesus) and asking for advice. I had witnessed to him about Jesus being able to ultimately guide and heal him. Now this man was living a homosexual lifestyle and I felt prompted to ask him a question, especially since him asking me for advice would suggest that he trusted me at some level. This man came to me for advice again and, after I gave him the advice he sought, I took the opportunity to ask him, “Why do you choose to live a homosexual lifestyle?” He appeared taken off guard, but answered that it wasn’t something he really chose, but rather something he felt. I gentle came back with “It’s a choice to go by your feelings.” At this point, I think I’d taken away his defense/excuses and put a crack in Satan’s lies, which had been strengthened by the affirmations from others’ of his choice. “It’s just something I’ve felt for a while” he answered. He didn’t express anger at that time, but the next morning, I found myself in the office with a representative from corporate, being threatened with job termination and angrily questioned concerning my right to ask what I did. After explaining to them that this man came to me and sought me out for advice, I made it known repeatedly that it is a choice to be homosexual and that they are not born that way. This stirred more anger in the representive. But God gave me favor and defended me so that I did not lose my job, even when I refused to sign a statement of compliance! The next day, when I was again in an office being scolded by more leadership, they expressed their shock in the fact that I didn’t lose my job! I’m thankful for still having a way of income, but I would have lost it to hold to my convictions and also try to speak truth to this person, letting him know that he had a choice beyond unreliable feelings. I have peace knowing that my God would have taken care of my needs through another job, if needed. In Jesus Name!
These are just a couple instances in my life that carry a similar message as the accounts of Daniel, Hananiah, Michael, and Azariah. Mine and their examples are to motivate boldness in contending for God’s truths in this world, not conforming to the reflection of this world when it is not reflecting God’s light (Romans 12:2), and not affirming confusion caused by Satan! Whether we believe our seeds of faith can make a difference or not, God can use each of us in unique ways that only we can fulfill and make a true difference in Christ! We can be true Patriots and push out corruption that cause our country and world to collapse!