Introduction: The making of good character happens when no one is looking. The real test of character is found in the victory over the enticement of compromise and the power of its influence. Apart from Jesus, it would be difficult to find someone in Scripture who exhibited utmost character in such extreme situations in life as Daniel.

The Pressure to Compromise Personal Character

• His Way of Thinking (Daniel 1:1-4)

• His Way of Living (Daniel 1:5,8)

Integrity commits itself to:

--character over personal gain

--people over things

--service over power

--principle over convenience & compromise

--the big picture over the immediate

• His Way of Worship (Daniel 1:6-7)

The Preparation to Pursue Personal Character

• He Resolved Not to Defile Himself (Daniel 1:8a)

• He Verbalized His Intentions (Daniel 1:8b-10)

• He Trusted God (Daniel 1:11-14)

The Power of Personal Character

• His Character Affected His Three Persons

 

• His Body (Daniel 1:15-16)

• His Spirit (Daniel 1:17)

• His Mind (Daniel 1:20)

• His Integrity Affected His Three Employers (Daniel 1:18-21)

• His Integrity Affected His Three Friends (Daniel 1:8; Daniel 3:16-18)

“Those with integrity or good character are many times targeted by those living in sin with the intentions to get them to approve or accept their sin so they may have peace about living in their sin. Those with integrity literally become an agitation to those living in sin.”

(2 Timothy 2:24-26)

Application: Biblically, how is good character constructed?

(Romans 5:3-5)

Anytime you break a moral principle, you create a small crack in the foundation of your character. How do you protect your good character? How have you seen the influence of your character demonstrated? If your life impacts and inspires those around you for the good it is because of your good character.