Allow Your Conscience to Accuse or Excuse - Part 1

If everyone has a consciousness of God, what drives people to resist his presence? Romans 2:15 reminds us that God’s laws are written within everyone, and so the conscience accuses or excuses them. What does it take to bring an awareness of God into submission with his kindness and love? For some it takes a crisis that creates hardship and pain.

The consciousness of God should produce basic moral convictions. Remember, our choices determine what has priority, and underlying our choices exist powerful motives. Proverbs 20:27 from the Living Bible makes an interesting observation. “A man’s conscience is the Lord’s searchlight for exposing hidden motives.”

God’s wants us to understand that secret motives give energy to unacceptable thoughts and actions. When God’s searchlight zooms in on areas of your life that are out of compliance with his will, permit his light to direct you back to his purpose for your life. God will find you if you are willing to be found.  

God Is There! Are You Listening? - Part 3

One function of the conscience is to issue warnings when we are out of compliance with our commitment to God, Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit and other people. We admire those who stand up to the infestation of sin and depravities and thus maintain a healthy self-image that witnesses to others. A strong conscience forbids acts detrimental to self and others.

A healthy conscience affirms conduct becoming of persons who care about their spiritual and social well-being. Listen to Paul’s testimony from 2 Corinthians 1:12: “Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world and especially in our relations with you in the holiness and sincerity that are from God.” Could this be your testimony?

It’s incredibly important to listen to the nudging and nurturing of your conscience. The conscience gives advice or consultation where certain behaviors are questionable. God cares for you and wants what is best for you now and in the future. Faithfully trust God to be your guide and protector.  

God Is There! Are You Listening? - Part 2

How did you come to believe in what is right or wrong, good or bad, appropriate and inappropriate? The Apostle Paul emphatically declares in Romans 2:14-15 that those people who have never heard of the Ten Commandments do by nature what is required. They do so because it is written in their hearts and minds, and their conscience bears witness.

It’s possible to mute out and disregard the values promoted by the conscience. This doesn’t imply freedom from guilt resulting from wrongful choices and behaviors. Delayed consequences can be more painful because of accumulated guilt. The purpose of an active conscience is to guide, protect, accuse and defend each of us.

A weakened conscience can be strengthened by renewing your covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ, creating a place in your heart for God’s word, and finding a Christian mentor to be an accountability partner. God’s purpose is to cleanse the conscience so fellowship with him can be possible and enjoyed. 

God Is There! Are You Listening? - Part 1

How would you evaluate the ethics of our culture when it comes to going beyond what is required, doing what is commendable? Several years ago, a plane crashed into the Potomac River just outside Washington DC. A young man risked his life to save passengers by swimming out to the plane in freezing water to bring helpless victims to shore.

Luke’s Gospel records the account of the Good Samaritan who helped a wounded man who had been left for dead beside the road. He went beyond the call of duty to insure the injured man was given proper care. This parable also relates how two religious leaders of the same nationality as the wounded man used excuses to pass by and refused to give help.

The strong voice of conscience directs us to do what is morally right and good. Each person can choose to perform spontaneous acts of kindness with no thought of reward. If an opportunity arises to follow the voice of your conscience, are you ready and willing to hear and respond? What would Jesus do?  

Your Conscience: God's Inner Voice - Part 3

Andrei Sakharov, the decorated Soviet physicist, believed his work would ensure peace and protection for his country. He later came to believe that nuclear testing was destructive and dangerous to the human race. Because of this change in critical thinking, he was forced to live in isolation for eighteen years.

Andrei Sakharov listened to the voice of his conscience and stood up for what he believed. His faith in common people and the power of reason made him a hero to people everywhere. When a person listens to his or her conscience, appropriate conduct usually follows.

Andrei Sakharov won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1975, and by the time of his death, democracy had engulfed some of the communist nations. Jesus’ determination to do the will of God cost him his life but made possible our redemption from sin. God blesses those who resist the temptation to cave in to the external pressures of the world and choose instead to abide by the inner voice of their conscience.  

Your Conscience: God's Inner Voice - Part 2

What is the conscience and what role does it play in determining conduct? The conscience functions as an inner voice, pointing out the best possible moral good for ourselves and others. It recalls what is ethical and appropriate by directing us to choose what is truly good, with the goal of learning to enjoy these choices.

Thomas Aquinas, the thirteenth century Italian theologian, wrote that happiness is not equivalent to wealth, power or pleasure. Happiness involves a life full of things that human beings need in the right order and in the right proportion. The purpose of conscience is to help us avoid guilt.

Joseph, the son of Jacob and Rachael, maintained his moral principles even under disastrous circumstances. He made critical decisions based upon what his conscience urged him to do. The voice of conscience directs you to consider the long-term effects of your choices. Are they compatible with what is right, good, and godly? God encourages choices that reflect his highest purpose for your life. 

Your Conscience: God's Inner Voice - Part 1

Conscience is designed to govern our thoughts and action, urging choices toward what is right and pleasing to God. The job of conscience is to develop an acute awareness in the mind and spirit when there is danger of engaging in behaviors harmful to one’s values and self-respect. How important is your conscience to you.

Conscience has been called the inner voice of God, alerting us to unacceptable motives, thoughts and actions. It’s difficult to listen to the voice of conscience when secret desires and motives override what is acceptable to God. It isn’t sinful to have a bad thought, but to nurture the thought is a serious sin.

Proverbs 23:7 issues this warning: “For as a person thinks in his heart, so he is.” This warning is against having detrimental thoughts that result in wrong choices and hurtful actions. However, we can choose to have the mind of Christ, allowing our thoughts to be anchored in him. It’s possible to do this, but it takes determination. 

A Clear Conscience: Essential for Self-Respect - Part 3

What is the relationship between your conscience, the values you keep, and self-respect? I read an article about a young police officer who was assigned to drug enforcement. He served earnestly until, in a moment of weakness, he experimented with cocaine, which in turn evolved into a full-fledged addiction. He disregarded his conscience, which cheapened his self-respect.

What went wrong with his conscience that allowed this officer to take such a drastic turn in his behavior? He was aware of the consequences he’d experience later down the road. Why didn’t his conscience stop him from experimenting with cocaine in the first place? Surely his conscience made him aware of the wrong choices he was making.

Obviously, your conscience can be over-ridden and denied the power to stop disaster. Even so, your conscience doesn’t give up because God uses it to help you turn away from sin, even when self-respect is stuck in the gutter. Jesus is interested in your redemption and beckons you to turn around and come back to him, so why not do it now? 

A Clear Conscience: Essential for Self-Respect - Part 2

Samuel, the last judge to rule the people of Israel, was a man of constant faith and unrelenting readiness to take appropriate action whatever the circumstance. As a man of integrity, he had respect for his people, an essential virtue for effective leadership. He saw his nation through a transitional phase of leadership styles.

Samuel was incorruptible and served God as a man of unbendable faith. The foundation for his faith and actions was an unquestionable belief that he was chosen by God to be a judge and priest as well as a role model for future leaders. Samuel unhesitatingly carried out what God directed him to do, regardless of how drastic it seemed to others.

A clear conscience is essential for self-respect and good judgement, yet everyone is vulnerable to violating their conscience. However, sincere acknowledgment of sins, confession of those sins to Christ Jesus, and seeking forgiveness will cleanse the conscience. Making amends is crucial, for it honors God and builds self-respect.  

A Clear Conscience: Essential for Self-Respect - Part 1

Samuel served as the last judge for Israel. He was also a prophet, a man of faith and loyalty who founded the first school for young prophets and preacher boys. He led his people through a transition from a theocracy rule to a monarchy rule because the people demanded a king. Samuel anointed Saul and David, Israel’s first two kings.

In 1 Samuel 8:7 God directed Samuel to comply with the people’s demands. These are God’s words to Samuel: “Listen to what the people are saying; it is not you they have rejected. They have rejected me as their king.” Samuel was respected by the people because he was a man of character. Still they were determined to have a king.

Faith requires action, and action based on strong moral character is sustained by faith. Samuel, as a man of faith, remained true to his word and commitments. He never looked for special favors because that would have diminished his self-respect. His life was an open book. Samuel could be a mentor for each of us to follow.  

Self-Respect in the Family: Hannah to Samuel - Part 3

Samuel was a man of loyalty who served Israel as a judge and priest. Near the end of his tenure the people decided they wanted a king to rule over them. Reading Samuel’s letter of resignation, I can’t help but detect sadness, hurt feelings and anger, although God assured Samuel he was not the object of their rejection.

Rejection should not diminish self-respect because it doesn’t depend on everyone loving or liking you. Self-respect is not contingent upon success or failure when integrity and honor determine a person’s choices and goals. People with self-respect are less prone to secret-keeping, guilt, regret and stress.

Samuel believed God directed his life, and he lived within the boundaries of God’s purpose for him. That doesn’t eliminate hurt feelings or grief over being rejected or displaced, yet it includes being able to flow with God’s will. Self-respect occurs when you know, and God knows, you’ve done your best and you’re satisfied with it.  

Self-Respect in the Family: Hannah to Samuel - Part 2

Samuel grew up under the care of Eli, who was the priest and judge over Israel. Each year as Samuel grew Hannah, his mother, brought him a new little robe to wear.  God was gracious to Hannah because she was willing to give up her only child to serve God. While Samuel was still a boy God called his name, and Samuel responded to God’s call.

Samuel was gifted with strong moral character, demonstrating his commitment to the Lord. Samuel eventually took Eli’s place as judge and priest over Israel. Samuel’s God-given insight and understanding on how to be a man of integrity enabled him to endure the temptations he would encounter as a judge and priest.

Samuel kept a clear conscience, which enabled him to choose appropriate, godly actions both as a judge and in his personal life. Moral character strengths enable believers to endure and stand firm with what is right and godly. Choosing to act appropriately and then choosing to follow through with your choice will be blessed and honored by God. 

         

Self-Respect in the Family: Hannah to Samuel - Part 1

The story of Hannah, the mother of Samuel who became a prophet, priest and judge in Israel, is one of faith and trust in God. Hannah was unable to conceive and give birth to a child. She promised God if he gave her a son, she would to give him up to serve God all the days of his life. In due time Hanna became pregnant.

When Samuel was weaned, she took him to the house of the Lord to be raised by Eli the priest. Try to imagine how hard it must have been for Hannah to give up her infant son, but she was a woman of integrity and faith in God which made it possible to endure the heartache and grief of separation.

Hannah demonstrated endurance and self-respect by keeping her covenant with God. In return God gave Hannah faith that he would anoint Samuel as his servant and bless him all the days of his life. Hannah kept her promise, so God kept his. Hannah endured her grief and separation from Samuel with joy and a deep abiding love for God. May God bless you today.