Sam Cotten

No, it hasn’t been in there too long to heat up!

Why me?

Hey, I know what you’re thinking: “Why me? Why does God pick on me? Is it just me, or is my conscience super-sensitive?” No, it is not just you -
God speaks to us through our consciences, and you may NOT go against it! Here are 6 biblical reasons you should not violate the pin-pricks of conscience:

1. Your conscience is your vindication (Acts 23:1, 24:16 [+/-]Acts 23:1 [23:1]And looking intently at the council, Paul said, "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day." (ESV)
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2. Your conscience serves as an internal check to the truthfulness of your own statements (Romans 9:1 [+/-]Romans 9:1 [9:1]I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- (ESV)
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3. Your conscience acts to keep you out of trouble (Romans 13:5 [+/-]Romans 13:5 [5]Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (ESV)
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4. You can’t love without a clean conscience (1 Tim 1:5 [+/-]1 Timothy 1:5 [5]The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (ESV)
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5. Ministry depends on you having a clean conscience (1 Tim 3:8-9 [+/-]1 Timothy 3:8-9 [8]Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double- tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. [9]They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. (ESV)
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6. Your conscience protects you from shipwrecking your faith (1 Tim 1:19 [+/-]1 Timothy 1:19 [19]holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, (ESV)
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A Little Theology

Have you ever wondered why God did not have to give Adam more positive commands? It is because his conscience functioned as an adequate prompt on how to obey God. One of the things that happened when he sinned is that the consciences of men were seared, so that they did not function right after that. Although not completely annihilated, the conscience ceased to stop men from sin, or to impel them effectively towards God. From that point on, the conscience only served to make men guilty.

The prophets longed for a new day. Jeremiah said that the day would come in which there would be a new covenant. In the new covenant, the law of God would be written on men’s hearts (Jeremiah 31:22 [+/-]Jeremiah 31:22 [22]How long will you waver, O faithless daughter? For the LORD has created a new thing on the earth: a woman encircles a man."
). In that day, no one would have to be instructed from the outside, because there would be an inner voice, effective to guide one’s life. Jesus talked to Nicodemus about being “born again”, and Paul talked about a “new creation”. Part of what happens when we come to Christ is that our consciences are awakened, and the voice of God is made clearer. Our ears are opened!

Pay Attention!

So, to ignore the pin-pricks of conscience is to ignore the voice of God. Don’t ignore your conscience! Do the opposite – give it first place. Ask the Holy Spirit to search you, and know you. As you do so, you’ll live in the presence of God. AND – it’ll keep you out of trouble!

So, it pays to pay attention to your conscience. It’s trying to prepare you for heaven.

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