Daniel 6:1-3
"It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which shold be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."

As Christians I believe we should strive to have an excellent spirit. In this chapter of Daniel I believe we can see three characteristics of an excellent spirit and also the result of having an excellent spirit.

Daniel 6:4
"Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him."

We see two things in this one verse that should be characteristics found in every Christian. First when others were trying their best to find something to accuse Daniel of they could not find anything because he was faithful.

You know there are not many things that we as humans have control over in this life. One thing that you do have absolute control over though is how faithful you are. It is your choice whether or not you are going to be found faithful. There is no excuse for lacking in faithfulness. We as Christians should be able to be counted on whether the times are good or the times are hard to be faithful.

The second thing we see here is that the princes and other presidents could find no fault in Daniels life to accuse him with. The Bible tells us to live our lives "beyond reproach." Yes, we are still sinners, and we are going to fail at times. This doesn't mean though that we have to roll over and give up. We should try our best not to sin, and we should live our lives before others in such a way that we would be beyond reproach.

Daniel 6:5
"Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

I'm sure you have all heard the question, If it was against the law to be a Christian would they have enough evidence to convict you? I've got another question for you. Is your Testimony such, that the people who come in contact with you would know automatically, that if it became against the law to be a Christian they would easily be able to find evidence against you at that time, because you wouldn't change? Daniel was such a man. These princes and presidents knew that if they could make it against the law for Daniel to pray to God they would then be able to accuse him. They knew before hand that Daniel would continue to be faithful to God reguardless of the consequences, even if those consequences were stated before hand as a horrible death.

So what are the consequences of Daniel having an excellent spirit? Well let's look at the effect he had on the pagan Kings he served under.

Daniel 4:34,37
"And at the end of the days I Nebuchandnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:""Now I Nebuchandnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgement: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

Daniel 6:25-26
"Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end."

So what do we see here. I believe that these are two kings of pagan nations who got saved due to the testimony of Daniel. Not only that but where it would have at one time been against the law to worship God in these nations, due to the testimony of Daniel it was not only encouraged but in at least one case ordered.

We should all be witnesses for God, and our witness should be emphasised by our excellent spirit.

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