|
|
Devotionals
|
God's Spy Within
|
|
God's Spy Within
By Joni Eareckson Tada
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk."
1 Timothy 1:5-6
The apostle Paul took his clear conscience seriously. He would not allow his conscience to criticize or reprimand him, censure or blame him. Paul purposed to live "rightly" so that his conscience would not scold him. Oh, that we would take our conscience that seriously.
The Puritans did the same thing as Paul. They sat "close to self-scrutiny," as they called it. It meant "communing with your conscience" every day, examining your actions and attitudes. The Puritans called the conscience "God's spy within our bosoms," or "God's deputy and vice-regent within us." They believed that the conscience was like a mirror, catching the light of God's Word and reflecting its concentrated focus on one's deeds, desires, goals and choices.
Our conscience speaks independently of our will. And when it speaks, it is in a strange way distinct from us--it stands over us, addressing us with an authority which we did not give it. We can suppress or stifle the conscience, but its voice will continue to speak to us if its volume has been turned up through daily times in God's Word.
When was the last time you listened--and responded--to your conscience? Try the Puritan habit. When you read God's Word today, ask the Lord to make your conscience tender toward anything evil or unlovely in your life. If it whispers, "Turn off the TV and spend some time with Jesus," be sure to not only listen, but act. It's one way to make sure your conscience will continue to speak...and speak in clear and convicting tones!
Spirit of the Living God, please continue to inform my conscience--I want Your 'vice regent' within my heart to keep me on the right track. And when my conscience convicts me today, help me to respond and obey Your Word.
|
|
Davidwayne Lackey 08/11/2015 21:45 |
|
| |
JT
|
08/12/2015 03:51 |
Amen. Good post
|
|
