Have you ever had that nagging feeling like something you are doing is wrong, but are not exactly sure why? Or, conversely, been so convinced that what you are doing is right—and you are just sure of it?
This is a function of your conscience—a capacity or faculty of moral intuition or reflection. It is one’s internal awareness or sense of abiding by or transgressing moral standards. It functions as a personal sense of one’s conduct, character, or intentions. In Ecclesiastes 10:20, it is referred to as one’s hidden, internal thoughts.
The human conscience is a funny thing. Some people seem to have a very sensitive conscience, while others nearly have a seared conscience. Sometimes different people who approach the same decision have very different moral understandings of what’s at stake because their consciences have been trained differently—according to a different authority. Their life experience has also contributed to the development of their conscience.
If the alarm clock is to function it has to be powered, but it also has to be set. A good conscience is powered by the Spirit of God and set by the Word of God. Hiding God’s Word in your heart will train your conscience to sound the alarm and keep you from sin. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”
But when we do sin, God has made a way for men and women, boys and girls, to have their hearts sprinkled clean from an unbelieving conscience by believing in Jesus and surrendering their life to Him (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22). Christians do not have perfect consciences…they still need to be trained by God’s Word. But every fear of condemnation has been relieved through the forgiveness that comes in a personal relationship with Jesus. Run to Him today to have your heart sprinkled clean!
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