Issue #159, July 8, 2015
Our first lesson from Daniel’s life was his resolve not to be defiled; he lived with a moral compass that would not be moved. But his moral resolve quickly brings Daniel into conflict with the king’s plans and leads to his first leadership challenge. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way (Daniel 1:8). This was not an easy situation for Daniel. Remember that he was a captive in a foreign land without power or titles. This was not a democracy; he served under a king whose law was absolute. Disobedience was punishable by death. He could not resign and look for another job! Yet his conscience would not allow him to obey the king’s command. He could have chosen to compromise his beliefs, try to run away from the situation, or simply refuse to obey. Daniel didn’t choose any of these options. Rather, he appealed to authority. His response teaches all servant leaders how to appropriately appeal to those in authority when faced with an issue of conscience. He did several things which gave his appeal the greatest possible chance to change the instruction of the king.
The appeal was made in the right spirit.
Daniel’s attitude is remarkable. He “asked” permission; he didn’t demand anything. He showed respect to the official and the king in all that he said and proposed. He recognized the authority of the official and submitted to the outcomes. Servant leaders who need to appeal check their hearts before opening their mouths. They approach their leader in the right spirit.
The appeal considered the authority’s needs.
Daniel’s appeal indicates that he was aware of and had seriously considered the King’s desire. The king wanted healthy officials. Daniel recognized this goal and offered an alternative solution which would meet the same goal while honoring his own principles. He proposes a 10 day test that will allow the goals of the king to be balanced with his own conscience. When leaders are faced with a difficult issue it is easy to think only about what they want as a leader and how to get it. But Daniel demonstrates that servant leaders genuinely care about the goals of the other and seeks a solution that will help both of them.
The appeal was left with the authority.
“Then….treat your servants in accordance with what you see” (Daniel 1:13). Daniel had already made his own decision about whether or not to eat the king’s food; he had “resolved not to defile himself.” But he recognized that what would happen to him was also in the hand of the king. He recognized the authority of the king to make a final decision about the matter. Servant leaders recognize that their appeal will not always be accepted. They recognize that the authority over them has the power to accept or reject the appeal and this helps the servant leader to appeal with the right spirit.
The appeal was based on God’s favor.
Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel (Daniel 1:9). Daniel had the right spirit and did all the right things in his appeal, but he clearly acknowledges that the outcome would be based on God’s favor. Servant leaders don’t depend on their own wisdom, but seek the favor of God.
Daniels’ appeal succeeded and everyone benefited as a result. Following his example provides servant leaders with the best possible chance of their appeal being considered.
For further reflection and discussion:
Reflect on a situation you have faced as a leader that involved an issue of conscience for you. Did you seek to appeal to the authority? If not, what guided your decision and what was the outcome? If you did appeal, reflect on each of the following questions:
- What was the attitude of your heart towards the person in authority?
- What was the goal of the person in authority and how well did your appeal consider that goal?
- How well did you leave the decision to the person in authority?
- In what ways did you experience God’s favor?
- In retrospect, what could you have done differently that might have brought better results?
- If Daniel would have simply refused, if he had just said, “No, I cannot eat the food,” what might have happened?
- If you are currently facing a situation in which you are being asked to compromise, reflect on each of the ways Daniel made his appeal. What would it mean for your situation if you took each step he did?