The devil takes advantage of the wicked culture we live in, and he begins whispering in your ear, “You must fear the outcome of standing for Christ, so just be quiet about Jesus.”

In my last post, I wrote from Daniel 1 as we examined how the world attempts to indoctrinate us and try to cause us to compromise our faith. Yet, we know that we do not fight against the world only, but also the devil himself (Eph. 6:12). Again, in the book of Daniel, chapter 3: 26-30, we have a word to help us prepare for battle as we prepare for the fiery darts that Satan will throw our way—the “evil one” schemes against us and attempts to bring us to despair.

Daniel 3:26-30 says, “Pay attention, this is how the Satan works. Here is his playbook. Pay attention, go on the offensive…there’s a victory to be had.”

Pay Attention, as our Language is Hijacked

Right after Nebuchadnezzar had Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego thrown into the furnace, and he looks in to witness their destruction, he is astonished as he sees the three teenagers walking about the flames perfectly content because they are in the presence of a fourth figure. Nebuchadnezzar admits something that grabs our attention; this fourth looks like a divine man. He looks like a god. Of course, we know this is the pre-incarnate Christ, but as the king sees this, he calls the three young men out of the flames to be inspected.

But, consider how Nebuchadnezzar calls them out of the furnace. It’s there for us in verse 26,

“Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace; he declared, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out from the fire.”

Did you notice the language? “Servants of the Most High God.” That’s some good language. Nebuchadnezzar seems to be using biblical language to reference the three young men and their God. Dissect this comment for a moment.

Nebuchadnezzar exclaims that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are servants. He recognizes their obedience, humility, and faith. Furthermore, he uses elevating language about God, calling Him “the Most High.” Nebuchadnezzar seems to be saying that God is exalted above all other gods. That’s all good, right? Yes, it is. It is biblical language that Nebuchadnezzar is using.

Therefore, it may be at this point that we begin to think that a conversion is happening in the king’s heart. Yet, that is not what we are seeing. It’s a good declaration, but there is no substance behind it. It’s a good declaration, but Nebuchadnezzar doesn’t mean it in the same way as God’s people. The king is using it to talk about one god in many. God’s people use this phrase to proclaim that there is no other god but our God. Nebuchadnezzar says there are many gods, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s God is the supreme God. This difference matters.

I led a summer mission trip to the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina years ago. During our training, the director of the trip would tell us that the unbelieving Cherokee people would use the correct language to talk to us about the God of the Bible. They would call Him “the Sovereign” or “the Creator,” and it would get people all excited and make them think that this is a brother or sister in Christ or that you led them to the Lord. Yet, they do not possess saving faith. They do not affirm the gospel of Jesus Christ nor recognize God as King and Redeemer. They use good language but do not mean it like we do.

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