JULY 21, 2014. A CLEAR CONSCIENCE

MONDAY JULY 21, 2014.

'...Keep your conscience clear...' 1 Timothy 1:19 NLT

A Clear Conscience

Speaking of conscience, Paul writes: '...I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.' (Acts 24:16 NLT) He lays it on the line to Timothy: 'Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.' (1 Timothy 1:19 NLT) Now a captain doesn't set out to wreck his ship. But if he falls asleep at the wheel or takes his eye off the compass, he will end up on the rocks anyway. The question is not, 'Can I get away with it?' No, the question is, 'Can I live with it afterwards? How will it affect my confidence before God? How does He feel about it? Will it prevent or promote His blessing in my life?'

Edgar Guest wrote: 'I have to live with myself and so, I want to be fit for myself to know; I want to be able as days go by, always to look myself in the eye. I don't want to stand with the setting sun, and hate myself for the things I've done. I want to go out with my head erect; I want to deserve all men's respect. Here in the struggle for fame and wealth, I want to be able to like myself. I don't want to look at myself and know, that I'm bluster and bluff and empty show. I can never hide myself from me, I see what others may never see; I know what others may never know; I can never fool myself and so, whatever happens I want to be, self-respecting and conscience free.'

Taken from the Word for You Today Devotional