Now
when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs
room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down
on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel 6:10
The
decree set up by the Persian officials was meant to trap Daniel, scare him and
discredit his position as adviser to the Persian king. This was not a law that supported the
government, kept the peace or served any moral purpose.
Just
because Daniel defied this law doesn’t mean we don’t have to pay taxes, we can
riot against the government or jaywalk.
The government, in Daniel's case, set itself up above God. Only in those specific instances can we defy
the government.
Peter
and John refused to listen to religious leaders telling them not to
evangelize. The source was religious
leaders (not the government) and the action of telling others about Christ can
never be silenced.
If
the government tells you to stop praying, talking about God or to worship a
gold idol, then by all means defy them.