“But holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Tim. 3:9).
“… seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron” (1 Tim. 4:2).
SEARED OR CLEAR CONSCIENCE
Don and I have five children. They are all grown, married, and on their own now. When they were young, I could have used a referee shirt and whistle on some days! Sometimes I would only have to give warnings, but sometimes a paddling became necessary.
I do not know how it got started, but my choice of paddle was a kitchen spatula. When I heard the children arguing or misbehaving in the next room, all I usually needed to do was to open the kitchen drawer and rattle the utensils. Whatever was going on would generally stop, and the house would become very quiet. These warnings worked quite well most of the time. Other parents count to three when their kids act up, and the behavior usually corrects itself before “three” is uttered. But sometimes the misbehavior continues. Consequences follow as Dad or Mom makes it to three or grabs the spatula.
How healthy is your conscience toward our heavenly Father? Does a whisper from Him suffice or do you continue in disobedience until discipline is necessary? We have all seen cattle that have been branded. Their hides are tough and calloused. God warns us about keeping our hearts sensitive to Him, neither tough nor calloused.
Maybe your conscience is hardened and you do not quickly respond to God’s warnings. Ask Him for a fresh indwelling of His Spirit to “tenderize” your conscience. When you hear His instruction or correction, be quick to obey.
Your conscience is e-mail from heaven. Some people do not listen to their conscience because they do not want
to take advice from a total stranger.
