Then Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, BECAUSE AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT WAS IN HIM.” (Daniel 6.3)

There was once a virtue that was greatly valued. Its importance in everyday life was taught and encouraged in almost every home of civilized society for generation after generation – and it was demonstrated at its best in the lives of the God-fearing.

More than mere external conduct, it was a life-style that changed the course of nations – one person at a time. That precious virtue was dignity.

However, over time this virtue has continued to diminish – not just in secular society, but also among the Body of Christ. Though the word “dignity” is still used frequently in our world’s vocabulary, the real meaning of dignity has been almost completely forgotten among so many.

Yet, the reason so much has gone awry in our society is largely because of our lost sense of dignity. Our society is left to constantly grasp for position, possessions, power, and pleasure to fill the void inside because we have lost our inner dignity.

It is time to regain what has been relinquished. The first step in this quest is to acquaint ourselves with the Truth of God’s Word – for it is the Truth that we KNOW that will make us free. (John 8.31-32)

What is Dignity?
In the recent years, dignity has often been erroneously associated with being rigid, stoical, austere, and indifferent. However, those qualities have nothing to do with genuine dignity.

By definition, dignity is the quality of being worthy of esteem or honor; high repute; A high position, rank or title; stately; proper conduct for one’s position; nobility. The word dignity is derived from the words: decorum, which means “that which is suitable or fitting,” and from docile which means “easy to teach, easy to manage or discipline; obedient; teachable.”

Dignity is closely interlinked with the word noble – “having eminence, having or showing high moral qualities, greatness of character, having excellent qualities, superior, stately.”

In Daniel 6.3 it is stated – “Then Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an EXCELLENT SPIRIT was in him.”

The word “excellent” in this verse is the Hebrew word yattiyr, meaning preeminent, which in turn means “rising high above other things or places; high; lofty; standing high by comparison with others, as in rank or achievement; renowned; exalted; distinguished; outstanding; remarkable; noteworthy.” Preeminence is superiority in position, character, achievement, greatness.

The word translated “spirit” in Daniel 6.3 is the Hebrew word ruwach. Ruwach means wind, breath, spirit, life, and is often used of man’s mindset, disposition, or “temper.”

Daniel stood high in comparison to his contemporaries, because an excellent spirit was in him. He was superior in character and lived by a high standard. He was pre-eminent in his mindset and disposition, and his life’s conduct was one of excellence. He was unconventional in almost everything he did – from the food he ate, to the way he spoke and acted, to the company he kept, to his unwavering devotion to God and daily prayer-life.

Daniel was known as a man of Non-Compromise. He exhibited high moral excellence and greatness of character in every area of his life. He remained teachable, obedient and humble before the Lord, and mirrored his life according to God’s ordinances. That is why he was used so mightily by the Lord and was untouched through every trap his enemies laid for him – because he chose to embrace the nature and character of God and make it his own.

The Word says that “he was faithful, nor was there any fault found in him.” (Daniel 6.4)

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” (Phil. 4.8)

Meditate On These Things
In this passage, “noble” (or “honest” in the KJV) is the Greek word semnos. Semnos means “honourable.” An expanded definition in Strong’s Greek Dictionary states – “One who is semnos is well ordered in his earthly life and has a grace and dignity derived from his heavenly citizenship. There is something majestic and awe-inspiring about one who is semnos; he does not repel but invites and attracts. It denotes what inspires reverence and awe. The word points to seriousness of purpose and self-respect in conduct.”

Two synonyms of semnos denote that which is “suited to a sacred character, that which is befitting in persons, actions or things consecrated to God. Orderly and decorous, and stresses well-ordered in earthly life, seemly, modest.”

The Word of God urges us to meditate and fix our minds on these things. But the next verse adds to also “Practice what you have learned and received and heard… model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.” (Phil. 4.9 AMP)

Meditate what God has said and then put it into practice – model your life after His Word.

Also interesting to note in Philippians 4.8 is the word “virtue”. This Greek word, arete, is defined as valour or excellence. Arete properly denotes “whatever procures preeminent estimation for a person or thing – hence, it is intrinsic eminence, moral goodness, virtue, moral excellence.”

Virtue is enjoined as an essential quality in the exercise of faith.

The pursuit is not preeminence or superiority for personal gain. Our pursuit is to raise the standard by living and conducting our life in such a way that it draws others up to a higher way of life – God’s Life. As noted earlier, this dignity does not repel, but it invites and attracts – it inspires a holy reverence and awe that points to a seriousness of purpose and conduct before God.

Second Peter 1.3-5 says that God’s divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue. By these we have been given very great and precious promises, that through them we may be partakers of the divine nature.  “For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue.”

For This Reason
Since you’ve received everything you need to partake of God’s divine nature, give all diligence to add to your faith this virtue, this moral goodness and excellence. It is an injustice to the Spirit of God for us, who have received His divine nature, to conduct ourselves in a manner that is contrary to His Character.

In every circumstance, we should search God within our spirit until we know for sure how to respond according to His nature and character.

God-inspired dignity is the ability to discern the difference between what is fitting and what is not in every situation and to act accordingly. It is the proper conduct and response for our position.

Well, what is our position? Revelation 5.10 says that He has made us kings and priests unto our God. We represent His Kingdom; therefore, it is imperative that our conduct be suitable for our position.

We are royals and we must act in a manner befitting our holy kingship. Dignity is not mere external actions (though external actions will be produced from it). Dignity flows from the cultivation of God’s nature in our heart.

As we apply to our life the benefits of the promises of His divine nature, II Peter 1.5 NLT tells us that then our faith will produce a life of moral excellence. And a life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.

Micah 6.8 states – “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you – but to do justly (what is right), to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

True dignity cannot be achieved without walking in mercy and righteousness – because those are God’s attributes. Nor can it be achieved without walking humbly before Him. As we learned earlier, being teachable, obedient, and easily disciplined is part of dignity – so walking humbly before God is a vital requirement.

Another area of proper conduct for our position is a life-style of worship. The Word says that “praise is fitting for the upright.” (Psalm 33.1)

Dignity is not in opposition to the expression of praise and worship. Praise is fitting for who we are! It is in line with true dignity to give worship and thanksgiving to God, as long as you do it unto Him and His glory, and not unto men. (Col. 3.23-24)

Because of the “excellent spirit” and godly dignity that Daniel walked in, he experienced the power and might of God manifested in his life, and was instrumental in the fulfillment of the will of God, not only in the nation and generation in which he lived, but also in nations and generations to come.

Daniel 11.32 reveals that “the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”

The people with “an excellent spirit” in them will do great things for God. This is our responsibility: to Raise the Standard, walking in greatness of character, possessing an excellent spirit, and being faithful to God in all things.

Meditate on these things… and let the Holy Spirit help you to rediscover the lost virtue of Dignity.