Draw a line in the sand

But Daniel made up his mind (resolved) that he would not defile (taint, dishonor) himself. (Daniel 1:8 AMP)

The phrase “draw a line in the sand” means to establish a firm, unyielding limit or boundary that you refuse to cross or allow others to cross.

The idiom is tied to historical and physical imagery. One of its most famous associations is the legend of the Alamo, where Commander William Barrett Travis is said to have literally scratched a line in the dirt with his sword, giving his soldiers a choice to either cross it and commit to the fight or stay behind and attempt to escape.

Over the last several weeks, I have mentally drawn a line with several thoughts, emotions, and decisions. On one side, I have God, and on the other, I have the enemy and my own selfish desires. I have written out what each one offers, and when you see it in writing, it makes you wonder why you would even consider anything but God.

God Enemy & Selfish Desires

Power to resist (James 4:7) Man-made rules

Conviction (2 Cor. 7:10) Condemnation

Self-Control (2 Tim. 1:6-7) Rebellion

Victory (Deut. 20:4) Guilt/Shame

Freedom (Gal. 5:1) Frustration/anger

Overcome temptation (Eph. 6:11) Justification/Self-pity

Life with purpose (Jer. 29) Remorse

Promise (Gal. 6:9) Discouragement

One morning, while I was writing these out, my sweet friend Janice texted her daily bible verse, and it was exactly what I needed to hear. “So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13) I read the passage in my study bible and it continued, “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickeness; but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master because you are not under the law, but under grace.”

Our daily choices will either make us an instrument of sin, by believing the lies of the enemy, or choosing our own selfish indulgences, or we can choose to follow God and become an instrument of righteousness. And we make those choices long before they are presented by drawing a line in the sand and resolving not to defile or dishonor ourselves, but to believe and follow God.

We need to decide ahead of time to choose Christ. To know His Word so that we are prepared to apply it when the enemy attacks and when our own selfish desires try to take charge. Then, with our line firmly drawn, we will have God’s strength to resist the lies of the enemy, restrain our selfish indulgences, and be able to fight with confidence, knowing that the battles will be won and victory will be achieved.