Strategies

In Daniel ch. 6 there’s an account in his life that is given to be an example to God’s people, to use in their own lives, when they find themselves in similar situations. Let’s take a look at it.

Dan 6:1  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; 
Dan 6:2  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. 
Dan 6:3  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. 
Dan 6:4  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. 

Daniel was now an old man, and had served under other kings of Babylon, and had other instances of the schemes of people trying to find something to accuse him of. (Dan 3:8), but he simply remained faithful, and God stood with him. Now, he was appointed the first of three presidents over Darius’ kingdom, with a hundred and twenty princes. These other leaders wanted to be rid of Daniel, because he was a righteous man, and honest in his service. They looked for anything they could in his conduct, to find something to accuse him of to the king. But, they couldn’t, because of the “excellent spirit” within him.

Yes, this is the devils strategy for everyone who puts their trust in God. You will soon after your salvation find that there’s no shortage of those who will dog you, spy on you, and make it their business-to know all of yours; to do as much damage as they can, and destroy you if possible. I’ve learned to do one thing that always works, when someone wants to accuse me of being a sinner, of making mistakes, and not being perfect- I agree with them. I’ll be the first to tell anybody there’s nothing in me that’s any good, the only good thing in me is Jesus, and his forgiveness and mercy to me in my life. I live and walk under the blood covering of Christ-many days I make mistakes, and fail, have to repent-get back up, and start again. Just like every other born again saint of God. We are not perfect, we are bought with the precious blood of Christ- the Spirit of God dwells in us because we’ve surrendered our lives to Him, and now want to live our lives to please Him. I make mistakes every day. But, the difference is-I WANT TO DO RIGHT, FOR HIM. Before I was saved, it didn’t matter to me if I offended God in my conduct and actions-now I desire to live as He guides me, through his word; and when I fail, I simply go to him, admit when I fall, and ask him to forgive-again-and for the help to stop the sin. He’s been faithful to me all these years, and I’ll keep going on like this until he takes me home. No one can take the solid faith and peace He’s given to me-and the knowing I belong to Him. He loves me, and I know it. This kills anything the devil can throw at me.

​He loves you just as much-I hope you come to know it.

What was Daniels’ response to this bunch of scheming troublemaker’s? Nothing-he just kept on doing what he had done every day before they plotted their schemes. He opened his window and prayed just like he’d always done, and his open window was his answer to these sorry accuser’s-he made sure they, and everyone else would hear him.

This is the best thing a believer can do, who is being falsely accused, and attacked by busybodies and troublemakers. Take the situation to prayer, ask God to show you if you’ve done anything to these people to give them any fuel or an open door for their accusations, and if you need to do something to make changes. If your shown anything that needs to be repented of, do it quickly, and as simply as possible. But, if He shows you it is them, and their actions that are wrong, go on and live your life as you’ve always done. The devil doesn’t know what to do with somebody who admits their mistakes, and their failures, and repents. It opens the door for God’s blessings, and protection- even when Daniel was thrown in the lions den- Satan had no hold on him. He has no hold on a child of God, who stands under His righteousness, and protection.

Going forward in the gospels, we read an account of Jesus dealing with the same kind of people, looking for an occasion to find fault, find an error in his speech, something they could use to accuse him.

Luk 20:19  And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them. 
Luk 20:20  And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. 
Luk 20:21  And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: 
Luk 20:22  Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? 
Luk 20:23  But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? 
Luk 20:24  Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. 
Luk 20:25  And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. 
Luk 20:26  And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace. 
 
In verse 23, we’re shown the keen discernment of the Lord-he knew what they were up to. His answer was cutting and blunt-“Why tempt ye me.” Then he goes on to show by example the simple principle of doing what’s right according to the government your living under, and doing what is right according to the kingdom of God-if both are upheld, there is no conflict.
 
I love it- The profound simplicity, and mirrored truth put in front of these scheming blasphemer’s-and it shut their mouths. He was using the same keen application of the word of God as he used when he was tempted in the wilderness by Satan. He knew how to win the battles with people’s evil intentions, because of the victory he’d won in that account.
 
There are times when the best thing to do, is say nothing, and let the evil tongues of people reveal themselves. It takes wisdom to know when something should be confronted, and when it’s best to give it to God, and let him deal with them. I’ve found over the years, most of the time, it’s best to avoid people like this, and focus on living my own life before God, as Daniel did.
 
Jesus dealt with accuser’s when he was surrounded by them, and he put them to silence-but he didn’t go looking for trouble. He never had to, it followed him everywhere he went. With the power of the Holy Spirit, he was up to each encounter, and up to the affront. With the Holy Spirit within us, we can be up to the task as well, when we find our accuser’s before us.
Lorna Couillard