A GOOD CONSCIENCE
The dictionary
defines “conscience” as “the internal recognition of right and wrong, with the
compulsion to do right; a moral judgment that opposes the violation of a
previously recognized ethical principle.” But “blind ambition” will disregard
conscience and go for what it wants, no matter what. The Bible tells us that
“in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing
spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Tim. 4:1-2).
If we continue
to act against what our conscience tells us, we get burned; repetition makes
the “skin” numb like scar tissue, and we are no longer sensitive to what’s
right and wrong. We’ll do what we want, rather than what God wants.
The end does
not justify the means. God wants us to stay righteous today, not later when
we’ve accomplished what we think we want. Ambition is good, but only under the
distinct leadership of the Lord.
The news is
riddled with horror stories of what many of the actors in Hollywood, singers,
and sports figures have compromised to get to the top. Morals, ethics, and a
sense of what’s right and wrong go right out the window because being a great
star is what they want more than being a great person.
People get
tempted to compromise on morals because they think they’ll lose something, like
a job promotion, or a boyfriend or girlfriend, for instance. We are so afraid
of losing something that we do things we know are wrong.
But honestly,
we don’t have anything worthwhile to lose if we endeavor to live with a good
conscience toward God. Hebrews 13:5 says: “Let
your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as
ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.”
People
misunderstand the part that says be content with what you have. They think it’s
referring to our present job, our physical possessions, etc. But what God is
talking about is what we really have: every desire fulfilled by him. Psalm
37:4: “Delight thyself also in the Lord:
and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
The Apostle
Paul gives us a great goal: “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good
conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). And when he was accused, in
Acts 24:16, he answers: “Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.”
No matter the
circumstance, big or small, let’s keep our moral compass on the truths found in
God’s Word and decide to do the right thing without compromise. It’s God’s job
to bring us to the perfect things for us always.
Love, Carolyn
Lots of great
true-life stories on a variety of issues that come up in our everyday lives.
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