THE WITNESS OF CONSCIENCE

who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them (Romans 2:15 NKJV)

The conscience is the mirror to the inner life, and shows us just what we are in the light of God's infinite purity and righteousness. The word is derived from the Latin con, with; scio, I know. Conscience is what a man knows with or against himself.

Sometimes we can meet ourselves with a smile; this is what we term a good conscience; at other times we do not like to meet ourselves, but feel ashamed, we cannot deceive ourselves, or trick our conscience. We know, and we know that we know that this is right and that is wrong; this is good, and that is evil. Conscience is an uncomfortable bed partner, says the old proverb, and when we are troubled with evil dreams, turning, tossing, waking up in fear then rest becomes impossible. It is very necessary to keep on good terms with your conscience, and we do not wonder that the Apostle made it his aim to preserve a conscience void of offence towards God and man (Acts 24:16).

All men have a conscience, else God could not judge them; there would be no standard by which to try or convict, but in most cases conscience is uninstructed. It judges rightly, so far as it knows, but its knowledge is little, and its power of making accurate distinctions is limited. The Christian conscience is illumined and instructed by the light that falls on it from the face of Christ. See to it that your conscience is constantly corrected by Christ's standard. Never tamper with conscience, nor gag her protestations, nor drown her voice. Never say it does not matter.  Never dare to let her voice wear itself out. To behave in such a way is to tamper with the most delicate moral machinery in the universe. Let’s see that our hearts are sprinkled from an evil conscience in the blood of Jesus, so that we may draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith (Hebrews 10:19-23).

PRAYER

Dear Lord, give me Your Holy Spirit in a greater measure, that His saving presence may cleanse my conscience, and His holy inspiration enlighten my heart. I ask it in Jesus’ Name, AMEN.

God's Daily Promise

Promise #119:
My everlasting joy and gladness will drive all sorrow and mourning away.

Isaiah 51:11 (WEB)
The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away.