Conscience!

A child once defined his conscience as that little voice that urged him to tell his mother what he had done before his sister did. Someone else has stated, "Conscience is that small, still voice that makes you feel smaller." Have we felt the smallness? We know when we have been wrong even when others may not be aware of it. Though a conscience needs proper training to be dependable, it often works as a great detector of even the slightest thing that may not be as it should.

As Paul was making his defense before Governor Felix at Caesarea, he stated. . .
"(14) But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, (15) having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. (16) So I ALWAYS TAKE PAINS TO HAVE A CLEAR CONSCIENCE TOWARD BOTH GOD AND MAN." ( Acts 24:14-16 ESV)

Rather than being PAINED BY the conscience, Paul TOOK PAINS to keep his conscience clear. The Greek word used here for Paul's effort is "askeo" which signifies to form by art, to adorn or to work up raw material with skill and is therefore used with reference to taking pains, endeavoring, or exercising by training or discipline. [source: W. E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words] Paul had trained and disciplined his conscience to work for him. He put forth the necessary effort to develop the art of living honorably, no only in the Lord's sight, but also in the sight of man. ( 2 Corinthians 8:21)

Though the voice may be small, the impact on the life can be enormous. May we also be willing to do what it takes, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS, to live before both God and mankind in all good conscience. Not only will our life be blessed, but our life can be a blessing to others as well.

Have a great day TRAINING FOR HONORABLE LIVING!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Conscience