Conscience

• Conscience moves us to turn from our mistakes (Proverbs 28: 13)
• We can suppress our conscience (John 1: 5)
• The Holy Spirit can speak through our conscience (Romans 9: 1)
• Keep your conscience clear (1 Timothy 1: 18-19)
• Church leaders must have clear consciences (1 Timothy 3: 9)
• Consciences can be destroyed (1 Timothy 4: 2)
• Jesus' forgiveness clears our conscience (Hebrews 9: 14)
• A clear conscience helps us live a God-honoring life (1 Peter 3: 16)

 TODAY'S REFLECTION:

It is better to confess our sins than to cover them up.  When people try to cover their sins up as if they were innocent, they cheat themselves of the chance to grow spiritually.  Those are the people who never grow in the congregation, or get promoted to a leadership position.  The light that God shines in our hearts is designed to set us free.  When we suppress our conscience, we deny ourselves the ability to absorb, or see the light; the truth; therefore we live in darkness; in a lie.  The Holy Spirit is that voice in the back of our minds that speaks to us when we're in danger of making a bad choice.  It's what stops you from living or telling a lie.  We Christians must keep our consciences clear; some have deliberately violated that command, and as a result, compromised their faith, and are ultimately destroyed by the devil.  Leaders of the congregation must also have a clear conscience; they have to be committed to telling the truth concerning Christian faith; they have to be able to guide those who are still in darkness.  A warning against false teachers: false teachers are hypocritical; they lie; they pretend to be religious, but their consciences are dead.  They live in deception; and we must ask for discernment from God to be able to differentiate between the two.   Because sin is so detestable before God's eyes; only Jesus' perfect sacrifice could pay the penalty of our sins.  His blood is what purifies our hearts; from those deeds that lead to death.  And because of it; now we can worship our living God.  A clear conscience helps us to live a life that is pleasing before God's eyes; we must live in a gentle and respectful way.  It is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong.

Blessings to you and yours!

Pastor Noemi