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An Enlightened Conscience, May 17
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men.
Acts 24:16
.
In the Word of God we read that there are good and bad consciences....
Take your conscience to the Word of God, and see if your life and character
are in accordance with the standard of righteousness which God has there
revealed. You can then determine whether or not you have an intelligent
faith, and what manner of conscience is yours. The conscience of man
cannot be trusted unless it is under the influence of divine grace. Satan
takes advantage of an unenlightened conscience, and thereby leads men
into all manner of delusions.
It is not enough for a man to think himself safe in following the dictates
of his conscience.... The question to be settled is, Is the conscience in
harmony with the Word of God? If not, it cannot safely be followed, for
it will deceive. The conscience must be enlightened by God. Time must
be given to a study of the Scriptures and to prayer. Thus the mind will be
stablished, strengthened, and settled.
It is the privilege of everyone to so live that God will approve and
bless him. You may be hourly in communion with Heaven; it is not the
will of your heavenly Father that you should ever be under condemnation
and darkness. It is not pleasing to God that you should demerit yourself.
You should cultivate self-respect by living so that you will be approved
by your own conscience, and before men and angels.... It is your privilege
to go to Jesus and be cleansed, and to stand before the law without shame
and remorse. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1
. While we should not think of ourselves more highly than we
ought, the Word of God does not condemn a proper self-respect. As sons
and daughters of God, we should have a conscious dignity of character, in
which pride and self-importance have no part.
A conscience void of offense toward God and man is a wonderful
acquirement.
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