Following Jesus—copying Him—is the natural result of growing intimacy with Him. The more time we spend with a person, the more we begin to reflect that person. In the same way, as we grow in intimacy with God through His Son, Jesus, we discover that He is continually doing a transforming work in us, shaping us to become more like Himself.

Yet following Jesus must be intentional. It calls for honest self-examination. We are invited to regularly check our lives—our motives, habits, and choices—to ensure that we are walking in integrity, not merely in appearance, but in truth before God.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You are holy and faithful. Thank You for inviting us to walk with You and for calling us to a life of integrity. Your Word reminds us that the one who walks in integrity walks securely, and we desire to live in a way that honors You.

Lord Jesus, we want to follow You—not just in words, but in our daily lives. As we spend time with You, draw us closer to Your heart. Transform our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions so that we may become more like You. Search us, O God, and reveal anything in us that does not align with Your will.

Teach us to follow You intentionally. Give us the humility to examine our lives honestly and the courage to repent where we have gone astray. Help us to walk in truth, not in pretense, knowing that nothing is hidden from You.

Holy Spirit, empower us to live with integrity, to walk securely in obedience, and to reflect Christ in all that we do. May our lives bring glory to Your name and be a testimony of Your transforming grace.

We surrender ourselves to You anew today.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

1 CORINTHIANS 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

When we live for the glory of God, our lives become a blessing to many. Every aspect of life—both the ordinary and the significant—becomes an opportunity to reflect Christ. In doing so, our lives provide a visible pattern, a living picture, and a practical model of what it means to grow in Christlikeness.

Growing in intimacy with God involves more than knowledge; it requires imitation. Copying, modeling, and following are essential to spiritual growth. As we walk closely with Jesus, His character is formed in us, and others are impacted through our obedience. Therefore, we carry a responsibility—not only to believe in Christ, but to intentionally follow in His footsteps, so that our lives point others to Him.

PSALM 78:72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart…

When we follow Jesus, we are called—by the grace of God at work within us—to display a life of integrity. Integrity completes the picture of Christlikeness. It is not merely what we profess, but how our inner character and outward actions align with the heart of Christ.

Following Jesus means allowing every facet of our lives—our thoughts, words, decisions, and relationships—to move steadily toward becoming more like Him. As we walk closely with Christ, He shapes us to reflect His character, so that our lives bear witness to His transforming power.

Daniel's Example

DANIEL 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.

Israel—the Jewish nation—had been overrun and conquered by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. One of Babylon’s deliberate strategies was to weaken a conquered nation by removing its best and most capable people—those with influence, intelligence, and leadership potential—and taking them into exile, while leaving behind the poorest and weakest. In doing so, the nation was left impoverished, leaderless, and unable to rise again against its conquerors.

Another key part of Babylon’s strategy was assimilation. These young Israelites were not merely relocated; they were to be absorbed into Babylonian culture. They were taught a new language, immersed in Babylonian literature, given new privileges, and trained to think, value, and live like Babylonians. This was an intentional process of indoctrination—an effort to reshape them from the inside out, so that their identity would no longer be rooted in God and His covenant, but in Babylon and its ways.

DANIEL 1:8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.

Even as a young man, Daniel demonstrated a life of integrity. Integrity is choosing what glorifies God—choosing what pleases Him, regardless of the cost. Daniel resolved that partaking of the king’s food and wine would not be pleasing to God. While Scripture does not specify the exact reason, it was most likely because these foods had been defiled through their association with idol worship or practices contrary to God’s law. What is clear is that Daniel was a man of principle, and his principles were firmly rooted in the character and the Word of God. His decision point was clear; he knew where the line was and why it mattered. Yet clarity did not make the decision easy. Faithfulness rarely is. Daniel chose obedience and integrity, trusting God even when that choice carried personal risk.

DANIEL 1:9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food... 17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

Decisions rooted in a desire to follow Jesus are often risky and costly. Obedience can involve real consequences and potential collateral damage. The official’s fear was understandable—if Daniel and his friends appeared weak, his own life would be at risk. Faithful decisions do not exist in a vacuum; they often affect others as well.

Choosing what glorifies God is sometimes simple in terms of clarity—we know what is right—but difficult in terms of implementation. Obedience requires courage, trust, and perseverance. Yet Scripture reminds us that God honors those who honor Him.

The decision to act in a way that pleases God is already a reward in itself. To follow Jesus, to walk in obedience and integrity, is a sufficient incentive for the believer. And yet, our God is a great rewarder. In His grace, the Lord set these young men up for success—not according to the world’s standards, but according to His ways. Their faithfulness was met with God’s favor, wisdom, and blessing.

MATTHEW 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Although Daniel may have served only as an informal leader among his peers, his life of integrity and faithfulness had a profound influence on his three friends. His example shaped their convictions and strengthened their resolve to honor God, even when no one was watching.

In Daniel chapter 3, Daniel is conspicuously absent, and the spotlight shifts to his three friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had erected a golden statue ninety feet high and summoned government officials from across the empire. When the music played, everyone was commanded to bow down and worship the image.

Yet in a sea of compliance, three figures remained standing. They refused to bow. Their courage did not begin in the fiery furnace; it was forged earlier through faithful example and daily obedience. In allowing their light to shine, they did not draw attention to themselves—but ultimately brought glory to God.

DANIEL 3:6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.”... 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

These three men knew exactly what they had to do. The decision was clear—simple in terms of right and wrong—but it was not easy. They knew what pleased God and what did not. They understood that honoring Him might be risky and costly, yet they chose obedience that would give Him glory, regardless of the outcome.

When the king summoned them in anger, they responded with both respect for authority and unwavering conviction—reflecting the kind of faith that had been modeled for them. Their loyalty to God did not waver under pressure. As a result, they were indeed thrown into the furnace.

Yet God intervened. The three friends were rescued from the blazing fire, and there was a fourth figure in the furnace—one whom many believe to be the Son of God—walking with them in the midst of their trial. Their faithfulness did not remove them from the fire, but it brought the presence and power of God into it.

DANIEL 3:28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God... 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

In the end, even King Nebuchadnezzar was compelled to praise God. Their faithfulness became a testimony not only to those around them, but to the most powerful ruler of their time. God is indeed a rewarder—granting blessing, honor, and promotion in His time and in His way.

Integrity is a decision. It is a daily choice to honor God and reflect Christlikeness, even when obedience carries a cost. God desires to use our lives as examples—living testimonies of faith—demonstrating what it means to choose what glorifies Him. And while we have made mistakes and may still stumble in the future, His grace invites us to continue making decisions that honor Him and point others to His greatness.

3 JOHN 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

There is great joy in seeing those we love—or those we are called to lead—living faithfully in God’s ways. Following Jesus is not merely a duty; it is a worthwhile pursuit. Every step of obedience, every act of integrity, and every choice to honor God contributes to a life that bears fruit for Him. Walking in the truth brings joy to God, strengthens our witness, and blesses those around us. Truly, it is a path well worth taking.

DANIEL 6: 1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”

By this time, Daniel was likely in his eighties, serving under yet another king—Darius. Despite changes in leadership and political systems, Daniel’s character remained consistent. King Darius appointed 120 satraps to govern the kingdom and placed three administrators over them, men the king could trust to protect his interests and uphold his authority. Daniel was one of those three.

Scripture tells us that Daniel distinguished himself by his exceptional qualities. His faithfulness, competence, and integrity were so evident that the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom. This stirred jealousy among the other officials, who began searching for grounds to accuse Daniel in his public service. Yet after intense scrutiny—122 men looking for fault—they found no corruption, no negligence, and no evidence of wrongdoing.

Realizing they could not trap Daniel in matters of character or conduct, they concluded that the only way to accuse him was in connection with his devotion to God. They manipulated the king into issuing a decree that anyone who prayed to any god or person other than the king would be thrown into the lions’ den.

Faced with this unjust law, Daniel refused to stop praying. His lifelong habit of faithfulness did not change under pressure. Even in his later years, Daniel chose obedience to God over personal safety, proving once again that integrity is not a momentary decision, but a lifetime commitment.

1 PETER 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light... 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Like Daniel, who bore tremendous responsibility with integrity and faith, we too are entrusted with the weight of representing God’s kingdom. Our calling is not only privilege but duty—to shine as lights, to walk in holiness, and to carry the responsibility of showing Christ to the world.”

A Prayer for Integrity, Faithfulness, and Courage

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging that You are holy, faithful, and worthy of all honor and praise. Thank You for the life of Daniel and his friends—men who chose integrity over comfort, obedience over safety, and faithfulness over approval. Through their lives, You remind us that honoring You is always worth the cost.

Lord, we confess that we often face pressures similar to theirs—pressures to conform, to compromise, and to quietly blend in with the world around us. Give us, like Daniel, a resolved heart. Help us to make up our minds ahead of time that we will not defile ourselves, that we will draw clear lines where Your Word draws them, and that we will choose what glorifies You even when no one is watching.

Grant us courage when obedience feels risky. Teach us to trust You with the consequences of doing what is right. When our faithfulness affects others and the stakes feel high, remind us that You are sovereign, that You go before us, and that You are present with us in every trial—whether in the fire or in the lions’ den.

Father, shape our character over a lifetime, not just in moments of crisis. May our integrity be so evident that even those who oppose us can find no fault except in our devotion to You. Help us to live such good lives that others may see our good works and glorify You.

Use our lives as living testimonies. Let our faithfulness strengthen those around us—our families, our friends, and those we are called to lead. May our example point others to You, just as Daniel’s life influenced generations and even kings.

Thank You, Lord, that while obedience itself is a joy, You are also a gracious rewarder. We trust You for wisdom, favor, and strength—not for our glory, but for Yours alone. Keep us walking in the truth, for there is no greater joy than to live a life that pleases You.

We offer ourselves to You afresh today.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.

The content of this article is adapted from the source below:

Evidence of Intimacy - The Need for Integrity