… keeping a clear conscience …
Summary: Our conscience is like the red light on a car’s dashboard. It tells us something is wrong. It says, “Pay attention!” If we ignore the warning, we might survive, but our conscience suffers. Each little stain of being ignored clouds our conscience and leaves a mark that haunts us until we die.
When I was young, keeping a clear conscience wasn’t a thing. I had heard about it, but I never saw what I did as being “wrong.” Instead, I viewed an adverse reaction to my chosen activities as a lack of appreciation. Whatever I was doing had some root in humor (it was funny to me!), justice (we called it “getting even”), or plain creativity.
Learning about “right” and “wrong” has been a long process. The important question was whose “right” and “wrong” was I supposed to go by? Parents had one set of standards, teachers another, friends still another. When I was off on my own as a young college student, I toyed with the idea that there wasn’t any “right” or “wrong.” It was all relative to whatever a person wanted to do or thought was “right.”
Eventually, I started reading the Bible and getting to know God. Even though the Bible covers thousands of years of history, the standard for right and wrong doesn’t change. It is always about God’s value system. And how does God define what is right and wrong?
When you buy a new car you get a set of instructions with it called an “Owner’s Manual.” In the manual, there are rules about what you can and cannot do with your car. There is a maintenance schedule that recommends oil changes and tire rotations at certain times. There are even instructions on what to do if something goes wrong.
If you are careful and follow the instructions, the car will last a long time. If you never open the instruction manual and you ignore the manufacturer’s advice, the car will last for a while and then things will start to go bad. Not changing the oil causes the engine to wear out faster than it should. Not checking the fluids causes the car to overheat. Not rotating the tires results in a flat tire on a dark road in the middle of a rainstorm.
Humans are the same. God knows us inside and out. He designed us to be in His image. We are built with all of the essentials needed to function. And, He has given us our Owner’s Manual in a book called the Bible.
One of the most important parts of a human being is the internal guidance system. Known as a “conscience,” this system is an early warning device. It is made to warn us away from doing things that can cause permanent damage or injury. The conscience is a bit like a red light on the dashboard of your car. It doesn’t always explain what is wrong or how to avoid it, it only says that something is wrong. When we ignore that red light, we risk hurting ourselves.
Sadly, we have the ability to override the conscience and do things even when the conscience screams, “WRONG! DANGER! WARNING!”
Sometimes we take a risk and, by the grace of God, we get away with it. When that happened to me, I would think, “Whew! That was lucky!” Aside from the fact that luck had nothing to do with surviving, something else happened that did not show up until much later. Each time I ignored my conscience, I left a mark on it. Like a stain that won’t wash out, my conscience would never be the same.
Only now, late in life, do I see and understand the value of a clear conscience. Yes, I am forgiven. Yes, I am washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. But that doesn’t keep Satan from reminding me of my past by pointing to the old marks on my conscience. Fortunately for me, I have the cross of Jesus to cling to. I also have the hope of new life with Jesus in heaven with a conscience washed clean. Until then, I cling to the cross of my Lord whenever Satan comes knocking. And whenever I am tempted by an impure thought, I look at the cross where I have so often clung in agony, and I remember the value of a clear conscience. It makes it easier to say, “No.”
Application: Pay attention to your conscience! Protect it by keeping it clear.
Food for Thought: How does the Bible help us understand what our conscience is telling us?
Well it doesn’t have a OB2 reader.
Hmmmm…
I remember OB1 from the Star Wars movies. Is an “OB2 reader” a book for his kid?
Asking for a friend! 🙂
An OBD2 reader, diagnostic tool let’s you know why the check engine light is on, what’s wrong, low oil, gas cap not tight, misfires. Then when you find out the problem you can go to your repair manual ( Bible ) to fix the problem. But after my studies today I found out I am wrong again. All my brothers in Christ are my OBD2 reader to help me figure out what is going on with this used vehical ( me ) that has so many abused miles on it and how to fix all the wrong maintenance things ( sin ) that hasn’t been taken care of properly. I’m glad that the new owner ( Jesus ) likes to restore junk vehicles ( Me ).
BTW Tim,
I really liked how you expanded the metaphor of an OBD2 reader and the old car. Very nice job!
I am not sure I can say it any better than you did. Great devotional. 2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17; Hebrews 4: 12; Colossians 3: 16; Psalm 1: 2 – 3; Joshua 1: 8; Psalm 119: 105, 111 – 112; Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 9. Matthew 24: 35; Isaiah 40: 8; 1 John 2: 14).
Great verses, Rich!
Thank you! I have linked to them all here.
Well,..if I am listening to what I read in the Bible then it will cut me right to the heart and divide what’s good and bad,..lays me bare,..just like in one of the verses shared by Rich,..Hebrews 4:12,..that verse got to me,..as do a bunch of others,..if it weren’t for the bible studies I would be so far worse off that now,..my heart would still be black, sin would be so alive that I wouldn’t know what love looked like if it were right under my nose,…but thanks be to God and His marvelous love that He has opened the eyes of my heart and has cleaned my heart so I now can love Him with all my heart,..through Jesus the path has been paved by His blood, resurrection and accession,..that’s how I understand what the Bible is telling my conscience,.. the beauty of it is that I believe it all to be true,..
My indicator light came on last night with all this smoke in the air,..had to make the decision to give my employees the day off because it’s not safe to be working in this kind of environment,..fortunately God has all this under control despite all the loss caused by this destruction,..
Hang in there and I do hope all of you are safe,..
John,
Thank you for sharing with us today. Your heart is in a good place! You are looking out for those in your care. Well done!
How does the Bible help us understand what our conscience is telling us?
Romans 2:15, They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.
The conscience is a thought process we go through to collect knowledge and identify right and wrong. But it is an untrustworthy source when it comes to making decisions because it is not the voice of God.
Our conscience is effected by mens standards of right and wrong which will vary from culture to culture and even from generation to generation. Today, I am beyond being amazed at the “evolving, ever changing” standards of acceptable and unacceptable behavior being put in place by mankind.
As believers we need to reprogram our conscience to respond to the Holy Spirit by getting familiar with the words of God through Bible studies, prayers, and practicing obedience to God. As the Spirit educates our conscience with the things of God, our personal standard formed by the conscience begins to align with the standard of revealed truth. As a result, the renewed inner man becomes increasingly in tune with the will of God.
Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 9:1, With Christ as my witness, I speak with utter truthfulness. My conscience and the Holy Spirit confirm it.
1 Corinthians 2:13, And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
Ron,
You make an excellent point! I really appreciate the distinction between just a plain ol’ conscience and one that is under the direct care and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Learning to live with God is learning to listen to His Spirit!
Wow, what a blessing to visit here today, read this post and reflect on all the comments and verses shared. Thank you brothers!
NMOP3PISdn,
Thank you for stopping by! We’ve missed you!
Thanks brother, I miss you as well!
👍🏻