Word for Today, Sat, 02 Apr 2005: Conscience: Guided by What?
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
Here are some useful thoughts about developing a blameless
conscience in the sight of God - as opposed to a guilt ridden
conscience that many people carry instead.
Conviction of sin is one thing - we need to be convicted of sin,
that is, we need to recognize that we sin, we need to turn away
from sin, but then we also need to realize that Jesus Christ paid
the full price for our sin. We need not continue to live a life
full of guilt and shame, unless, of course, we decide not to
accept God's gift of love to us, and we choose instead to
continue in the ways we have become accustomed to.
Our own consciences are not always a good guide. In fact, unless
our conscience is controlled by the Holy Spirit of God, our
conscience is not trustworthy at all. Neil Anderson writes about
these matters in his latest message.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
____________________________
Daily in Christ by Neil Anderson April 2
A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE
Acts 24:16 I also do my best to maintain always a blameless
conscience both before God and before men
Folklore advises, "Let your conscience be your guide." This
has serious limitations since our conscience is a function of
our mind. Having been conformed to this world, the conscience
can be programmed wrongly. It is always true to its own
standard. Until we come to Christ, the standard is the world
system in which we were raised. Many people are falsely guided
by a guilty conscience--not a true guilt, but a psychological
guilt usually developed in early childhood. Satan works through
this stronghold to accuse the brethren day and night (Revelation
12:10).
People like this are usually perfectionists who labor under
condemnation, even though the Bible says there is no
condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8;1).
They aren't led; they are driven. They constantly look for
affirmation. They have a tendency to be man-pleasers. Paul said,
"If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a
bond-servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10). If you are striving to
please men, of whom are you a bond-servant?
Since our minds were conformed to this world, we need to
renew them in such a way that what we believe is in accordance
with truth. Chapter 14 of Romans deals with how we should walk
in regard to nonmoral issues. Paul says, "The faith which you
have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who
does not condemn himself in what he approves" (Romans 14:22).
However, we are to restrict our freedom if it causes a
weaker brother to stumble. We never have the right to violate
another person's conscience. Paul says, "I also do my best to
maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and
before men" (Acts 24:16). Be very cautious about going against
your own conscience once you are committed to Christ. The Holy
Spirit does work through our consciences as He seeks to renew
our minds.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, that my mind and conscience can be renewed
daily through the power of Your Word.
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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