THE CONSCIENCE: YOUR FAITHFUL FRIEND
“There is a conscience in man; therefore there is a God in heaven.”
Heb 8:10 "For this [is] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Something told me not to run over that kid with my bicycle but I just didn't listen. Well, he was whacking a snapping turtle over the head with a stick. I remember laughing while the little boy cried. At the age of six, I was well on my way to a life of crime. Later, I felt bad about it but I just brushed my conscience off.
It is a good thing to have a heart within us smiting us for sins that seem little; it is a sign that conscience is awake and tender, and will be the means of preventing greater sins.~ Matthew Henry
Later that year, I sat and listened to the pastor one Sunday morning. I was overcome with conviction and responded to his altar call for salvation. I knew that something had changed in me because the very next day, as my friend David and I were walking home from school, he said a cuss word. It upset me greatly. I told him that if he was going to talk like that, I would not be his friend anymore! He told me that was fine with him, he talked like that all the time and he was not going to change just because I didn't like it! With that we parted ways. I am sure David did cuss all the time but that was the first time it bothered me.
In my early teens, I began to fall away from fellowship with the Lord. My conscience and my born again spirit told me of my wrong and insisted that I turn back to Jesus, but I brushed their voice off. The voice became more and more faint until my conscience was no longer a consideration! My life became a living nightmare! You can view my 20 minute testimony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ4BTI2fpOE
Had I been wise instead of rebellious, I would have been spared so much pain, shame and heartache. I am forever grateful that Jesus resurrected my conscience and made it tender toward Him again! Your conscience is a gift from God. Listen to it carefully and heed its counsel and you will be blessed for it!
Every blessing!
—Tom