Decide Before the Moment Arrives

Decide Before the Moment Arrives

Scripture: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...” — Daniel 1:8

Daniel made an important decision before the pressure became overwhelming: he had already determined whom he would honor.
There is tremendous power in deciding beforehand.

If you wait until temptation arrives to determine your convictions, emotions can easily take control. If you wait until you are angry to decide how you will speak, you may say something you regret. If you wait until something catches your eye to decide whether you can afford it, you may spend money you never intended to spend.

Some decisions need to be made before the moment arrives.

Daniel “purposed in his heart.” His circumstances didn't establish his convictions. His convictions determined how he responded to his circumstances.

We can do the same.

Decide now that you will speak with grace when someone irritates you. Decide now what boundaries you will maintain. Decide now that generosity will be part of your life. Decide now that God's Word will guide you when culture pressures you to compromise.

You cannot predict every situation tomorrow will bring, but you can decide today who will have the final authority when tomorrow arrives.

Life Application Takeaway: Identify one area where you regularly struggle and make a God-honoring decision about it before the next moment of temptation arrives.