Train and Maintain

We don’t watch a lot of movies, but one Mr Bill and I enjoyed several years ago was “How To Train Your Dragon.” That should tell a lot about our taste in movies! Did you know, as true disciples of Christ, we are to develop-nurture-keep a spiritually healthy conscience? Not to be confused with the power and working of The Holy Spirit in a Believer, it is the conscience (our consciousness) that excuses or accuses, that commends or condemns – a good conscience rightly distinguishes between what is morally good and bad, prompting us to do the former. Paul lays out the [unfortunate] problem of his day as well as ours: “To the pure, all things are pure; but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; both their mind and their conscience are corrupt.” (Titus 1:15). It is unpopular in this culture to hold to absolutes; nonetheless, genuine Followers of Christ follow (live by) God’s Truth as breathed-out by God and revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus.  We have allowed the corruption-defilement-searing of our consciences because we have failed to train and maintain a conscience that functions rightly – that is rooted solely in the commands and teachings of Scripture. Satan has cleverly and effectively spoken by many means; we have listened and followed hence sullying the conscience. God said, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” (Isaiah 30:21). Perhaps what you’re not hearing may be an indicator of how spiritually healthy your conscience is. Do not neglect to read and study and meditate on God’s Word – it’s how you train your … conscience!