Acting on Words

[Daniel chapter 6]

How many times have you heard me say “The Word of God is the Will of God?” Well what exactly does that mean? We can reverse it for the sake of simplicity and say that the Will of God (this means what God has planned for us and what He wants for us in this life) is the Word of God. Now when you think about it simply, the Words of God Almighty are what is most important. Now think about it even more simply. You only know somebody by their words and they only know you by your words. Simple? This teaching is extremely simple in its concept and principles. However, to carry it out and to put it into actual practice is another thing that’s not too easy. It has been said that the renewed mind is one of the most difficult processes that a man can ever undertake. You should know these Scriptures – there are two of them in Romans chapter 12, verses one and two.

I Beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. -- Romans 12: 1, 2

These are powerful words and you must act on them. The renewed mind is your key to power. So simply put, if you do not renew your mind to God’s WORD, you will have no power in your life. So how do we get to know God? We get to know Him by His words.

When I first heard this teaching, it was the very first time I ever heard this subject taught. I found it fascinating because it was so simple and I also found it to be extremely important because of the subject matter involved. Almost totally and completely there has been a failure of natural man to find reality. Natural man is always seeking to find reality. Practically all educational knowledge comes to man through the five senses. The senses man has gained almost total and complete supremacy over the Word of God. It’s more than a shame that this has happened, but it has happened. If a man says it, we believe it. But if the Word of God says it, we have all types of opportunities and arguments. If you remember, I did a teaching at one point called “Don’t Argue with God”. You are always going to lose if you decide to argue with God – believe me, I know. I always teach on subjects of which I myself had actual experience regarding the Word of God. Trust me.

This introduction is slightly long and I like to get right to Scriptures when I teach. But you need to know what I have to say right now. Spiritual facts are simply manipulated to fit the beliefs of natural man. Again, senses facts and words have gained supremacy over the spiritual knowledge that is frightfully limited. The five senses man, with all of his knowledge, cannot discover the origin of matter or of light or of force or creation. At best he can only identify with these things but not why they take place or where they originated from. It’s fascinating in a way if you give this teaching some thought. Let me give you an example.

Man tries to understand how the mind functions in the physical body. But yet he cannot get into the inner depth of life, but he can only identify the results of the act. I have to say it again – this knowledge is frightfully limited. Do you want to stake your life on this type of knowledge? You really need to be strong in the Word for God to reveal great spiritual truths to you. A great example is God and Moses. God revealed much to Moses and told him the why’s and the wherefores. But he never mentioned this to the children of Israel. They only saw the results of the acts. Now I want to say something that you should take to heart before I get into a record in the Old Testament that will convince you about the power of words. All education without an accurate knowledge of God’s Word rightly divided is bankrupt. Man’s soul craves for reality and if not properly directed he will leech onto anything and everything counterfeit. That’s how important it is for us to act on the Words of God instead of acting on the words of man. It’s a fascinating subject because it is so simple that as I always say, it’ll blow your mind. Just think about this before I get into the book of Daniel. Think about your life and how it revolves around what you say and about what other people say to you. We are always acting on words and we are going to see some examples of the importance of this principle.

Put away from thee a forward mouth, and perverse lips, put far from thee. – Proverbs 4: 24

God is clearly saying to watch your confessions. What you confess is what you possess. The words ‘froward mouth’ means stubbornly contrary and disobedient. I believe this Scripture offers a great introduction to the record in Daniel that we are about to study in detail. This record will illustrate to you that all men live or die by words. Have you ever given that the intense thought that this statement deserves? We live or die by words. Words motivate and words are the only thing that we ever act on. If man lives or dies by words, then we should be looking for words that promote life and not death. We should search out words that bring us to greatness and the greater things of life.

To conclude this preliminary introduction to this teaching, I would like to make the following statement:

In the least common denominator of life, all men will live by the words of men, or by the Words of God.

Daniel Chapter 6

[Acting on Words]

This record is about the Medes and the Persians when these two peoples were prospering to a great extent. At this time, they were most outstanding nation in the world as they joined forces together.

A most amazing lesson that we can learn from this record is concerning Darius. He was in charge of the Medes and believe it or not, he was a pagan ruler. And yet Daniel worked for this ruler and do you know what kind of job Daniel did? He did the best job he could for that ruler and jealousy had arisen. So when you think you are facing tribulation because you are doing a good job, that’s only normal for a believer. I put up with it all of my life and I still am. After a while, you will build a resistance to this tribulation and become very strong in many ways. Let’s take a look in verse one how Darius set up his kingdom so that he should have no harm or damage coming to his people.

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

Darius appointed 120 princes which were to watch over the whole kingdom. Darius was a very cautious man and he believed that he was on top and above anything pertaining to all the other gods because those gods were pagan statues. He knew that he had more power than all of the statutes. So what did Darius use to set up these 120 princes? He used commands, did he not? He spoke and he used words and those princes acted upon those words. So how powerful are words? We never give them much thought, do we? We should begin to realize that as I said before words bring life or they bring death. We should watch what we say at all times and never ever confess to negatives. Negatives glorify the god of this world and we need to renew our minds to think what the Word says we should think.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. -- Philippians 4: 8

We are never to criticize, condemn, and complain. So there’s a renewed mind challenge for you and for me. This is one of the most difficult things to accomplish in your renewed mind especially when we live in this second heaven and earth of whom the god of this world is the devil. But as you should know by now, God says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. That means that it is available to stay positive all of the time and to think the thoughts that are mentioned in Philippians 4: 8.

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

There were three Presidents who were in charge of the 120 princes. But of the three presidents, Darius placed Daniel in charge so that the princes first gave accounts to him because the King believed that he would be secure and safe relying upon Daniel.

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

This verse explains why Daniel was preferred above the presidents and the princes. It was because an excellent spirit was in Daniel. King Darius saw it and what do you think that excellent spirit was? The spirit of the true God was upon Daniel and he walked uprightly and in a righteous manner worshiping this true God which is our God. The King wanted him to run the whole show. So now the story begins to unfold and keep in mind that everything took place as a result of words.

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Now here you see the evil that lies in man’s heart. The other presidents and princes conspired against Daniel concerning the kingdom. They were jealous and they were full of envy concerning Daniel. Daniel did a much better job in his position and the King saw this, so the King put him in charge. This happens almost every single day in many companies and businesses. If a person is doing an outstanding job, he gets promoted and his fellow workers decide to dislike him. The great thing about this verse four that you should have seen is that these evil men could not find any fault with Daniel. This is a great attribute that you should strive to achieve. When natural man who was evil in his heart, is trying to get at you, he will look for some type of weakness in your life. If you have none, he has a real problem. These people came up with an idea that eventually resulted in their death, and a quite horrible one at that. They never knew this was going to happen and that’s how Satan works. He sets you up and he makes you believe you’re going to come out on top, and then when he’s done with you, he gets rid of you. Don’t forget that. The verse says that they couldn’t find any fault in him because he was faithful to the true God.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

These men knew that Daniel worshiped a different God than King Darius. That was the only thing they could find to use against Daniel. So they came up with a scheme – a very devilish one and they even tricked the King with their idea. So they realized in verse five, that there was only one way to get Daniel out of their way. So they concocted the following evil plan. I should mention at this point that the Medes and the Persians had a peculiar history pertaining to their laws. This was known worldwide and it was the fact that once the Medes and the Persians signed an agreement in writing, it was never broken. These people were noted for this fact.

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Their jealousy and contempt for Daniel was so great that they definitely carried out their plan. They assembled before the King and a said to him King Darius, live for ever. You should know that this was just an Orientalism and every time they saw the King, they said this to him. It’s nothing to get all excited about – it was a tradition. Now they were ready to present their plan to the King.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

They all got together and they told the King that they consulted together to establish a royal statute. The statute would state that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for 30 days, not the God that you worship oh King, that person shall be cast into a den of lions. Take a look at this. The King really had no idea what they had planned and he had no suspicion that they were jealous of Daniel and that is why they came up with this decree. The King was deceived as you will see later. They acted as if they were doing such a good job to come up with this new decree. But the King thought so highly of Daniel, he just didn’t give a damn that Daniel worshiped a different God. It’s an amazing record, isn’t it? And although it seems so simple to mention, this decree was what? IT WAS WORDS. Are you beginning to see that every day in every single situation that we live in, we take Action on Words.

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Notice how they move quickly and the King really did not have much time to examine the implications of this decree. They worked on Darius and tricked him into signing a law where Daniel was to be prosecuted. He signed the writing. The law of the Medes and the Persians was never broken according to secular history.

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Can you imagine what Daniel did after he heard about this decree? He went to his home and his windows were open facing Jerusalem. He kneeled down upon his knees and he prayed as he always did three times a day and gave thanks to his God. This is what you call faithfulness. This is what you call acting without fear. This is what you call believing. Daniel couldn’t care less about this decree. He kept God first no matter what seemed to be apparently deadly circumstances. He believed that God would protect him and deliver him from anything that man could do unto him. It’s a beautiful record of commitment and dedication. Would you have done the same thing?

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

This next verse shows you just how desperate these evil men were to destroy Daniel. They had people watching his home to catch him praying to his God.

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man

within thirty days, save of thee, O King, shall be cast into the den of lions? The King answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Then after they saw Daniel praying to his God which is the true God, they ran to the King and brought up the decree that the King had signed. You see they were all excited because they figured that they found a way to get rid of Daniel and the King could not change his mind about the decree that he had signed. They kept bringing it up to the King and the King had to admit that he had signed this decree and the consequences were to be carried out. For a pagan King, he seemed to have some qualities that somewhat shocked me. He admitted that what he signed was true according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altered not.

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Do you see the power of the words that were written in this decree? Even the King could not change his mind. He had to carry out what he had signed into law. Then they told the King all the details of what Daniel was doing and how he was still praying three times a day to his own God.

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

The King was very distressed when he had heard these words from these men and he was terribly displeased with himself, and he had tried everything he could think of to deliver Daniel from such a fate. He thought about it all day until the sun went down of some way to deliver Daniel. Now here is a man that worships pagan gods and yet you could see the love he had for Daniel. It’s quite an unusual record in that respect and actually I never worked it like we are working it now.

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Notice the persistence of these men who were evil and who were murderers. They assembled unto the king again later in the day and said, now King, remember we cannot violate our statutes and that no statute which the King had signed and established may be changed. They were not about to let up and I’m sure they were using nice kind words when they spoke to the King.

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

The King had no choice but to command that Daniel was brought before him and cast into the den of lions. Now watch what the King said right before he was put into the den of lions. I think this is a most beautiful record and I wanted to highlight it for you. He said to Daniel: Do you know that God that you worship all the time and you serve him continually, I believe he will deliver you. Can you imagine such a statement from a pagan King to a Christian? You see with God all things are possible and we need to remember this. I had a man once tell me that with love, all things are possible. This man proved this to me. I never forgot it and I never will. We are to love everybody regardless of how evil they may be. If we do so we will reap positive results because God loves everybody even the people who are mass murderers. Paul was one. Can you believe that? It’s true. That’s why when you become a true Christian, you become different than everyone else. Look what King Darius did before Daniel went into the den of lions. He said to him, I believe your God will deliver you. He loved Daniel. There can be no doubt about it. It’s an amazing and fantastic record that should stay in our hearts for all our days.

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

A stone was the rolled over the opening to the den and the King sealed it with his own signet ring.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Words really got King Darius into trouble. He couldn’t sleep and he couldn’t eat and he wanted no music and he fasted all night.

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

He arose very early and ran to the den of lions. He cried with a lamentable voice Daniel, Daniel. Has your God been able to deliver thee from the lions?

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

Daniel said Oh, king, live forever. What a beautiful record.

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

He told Darius that God had sent an angel and he shut the lions’ mouths and they had not hurt him.

Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

The King was exceeding glad and took Daniel out of the den and he was not hurt at all because he believed in his God. Action on words. Darius sealed the doom on Daniel due to words. The word of man was on one side and the Word of God was on the other side. Daniel acted on the words of God which were bigger than any man’s words.

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Evil people always get what they have coming to them. The hard part for us is patience. God knows the exact right time that anything should be done. Many times we have a hard time waiting for God’s justice to prevail. I waited eight years one time for a person to experience God’s justice. When God knew the time was correct, he allowed the god of this world to afflict this person who had done a terrible thing to me. I was so impatient with God I cannot begin to explain it to you. But when I saw what happened to this person eventually, I knew that God’s justice always prevails and don’t you forget it. The men that were trying to set up Daniel wound up being thrown in the lion’s den and they were torn to pieces – even their wives and their children. Can you imagine? King Darius was deceived to a great extent by words and he did not hesitate to make his move once the truth was revealed.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

King Darius, even though he was a pagan and no I do not understand everything, he was a happy man and he told all the nations on earth to have peace multiplied unto them.

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

He also made a decree that in every dominion of the King every man would tremble in fear before Daniel’s God. He admitted that Daniel’s God is the living God and was steadfast forever and that his kingdom shall not be destroyed and his dominion shall last even until the end. Now this is an amazing statement to be made by a pagan King. I have to wonder if he was converted after what happened to Daniel. The Bible doesn’t say so as far as I know. And yet Darius wasn’t done about what he had to say about Daniel and about Daniel’s God.

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

King Darius also said that Daniel’s God delivers and rescues and works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth. And it was Daniel’s God who had delivered him from the power of the lions.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

In conclusion of this great record, we see that Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and also in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

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We must be conditioned by the Words of God - not by the words of the world.

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