Text: Daniel 13

Topic: Why we choose our preferences over our convictions

Introduction

Illustration: Stanley tells of when his class was shown videos warning of the dangers of alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and reckless driving, but his friends became involved in the same evils they were warned against. They had preferences and not convictions.

Have you made up your mind not to compromise, so God can use you?

When King Nebuchadnezzar captured Jerusalem and took Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to Babylon, they refused to eat food that had been offered to idols, even if it meant starving.

Daniel 1

Again, when the king made a ruling that all worship him, the three Hebrews refused to bow to him, even if it meant death.

Daniel 3

God used their willingness to stand by their convictions to better Babylon.

You need to develop convictions in the area of moral purity.

Make up your mind in the area of physical purity that what you have to gain by compromising isn't worth it—choose God's will for you.

In the area of mental purity, it is wrong to put filth into our minds.

You need to develop convictions in the area of ethics.

If we're wrong, we need to admit it—no more excuses and lying.

Preference is oriented toward convenience, and conviction is oriented toward sacrifice.

You need to develop convictions in the area of spirituality.

If we aren't spending daily time with God, tithing the correct amount, and attending church faithfully, we are choosing to follow our preferences rather than our convictions.

Illustration: Stanley tells the story of his wife's brief modeling career in college, which ended when she was asked to wear a suggestive costume and refused. At that point, Stanley knew she was the woman for him, since she cared what God thought.