ENDEAVOR
TO KEEP A TENDER CONSCIENCE
BREAD
1 The
Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. 2 Such
teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared
as with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NIV)
3 I
thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as
night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. 4 Recalling
your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 2 Timothy 1:3-4 (NIV)
13 He
who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces
them finds mercy. Proverbs 28:13 (NIV)
14 Blessed
is the man who always fears the LORD, but he who hardens his heart falls into
trouble. Proverbs 28:14 (NIV)
6 I
will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not
reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:6
(NIV)
1 Six
days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom
Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha
served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then
Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on
Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the
fragrance of the perfume. 4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was
later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to
the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He
did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as
keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. 7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “[It was intended] that she should save this perfume for the
day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but
you will not always have me.” John 12:1-8 (NIV)
3 For
rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do
you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right
and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do
wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s
servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore,
it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible
punishment but also because of conscience.
Romans 13:3-5 (NIV)
1 Paul
looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my
duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” Acts 23:1 (NIV)
15 But
in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak
maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)
12 Now
this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in
the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and
sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom
but according to God’s grace. 2
Corinthians 1:12 (NIV)
3 As
I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may
command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor
to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote
controversies rather than God's work--which is by faith. 5 The
goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good
conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have wandered away from these and turned to
meaningless talk. 1 Timothy 1:3-6 (NIV)
16 So
I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Acts 24:16 (NIV)
BUTTER
“Get and keep a tender conscience. Be sensible of the least sin. Some men’s consciences are like the stomach
of the ostrich that can digest iron:
they can swallow the most notorious sins without regret. A good conscience is very delicate. It feels the least touch of known sin, and is
grieved at the thought of grieving God’s Spirit. It will choose the greatest of suffering
before the least of sinning.” John
Gibbon
“Grace
remits sin and peace quiets the conscience. Sin and conscience torment us, but
Christ has overcome these fiends now and forever. Only Christians possess this
victorious knowledge given from above. These two terms, grace and peace,
constitute Christianity. Grace involves the remission of sins, peace and a
happy conscience. Sin is not canceled by lawful living, for no person is able
to live up to the law…the fact is the more a person seeks credit for himself by
his own efforts, the deeper he goes into debt. Nothing can take away sin except
the grace of God. In actual living, however it is not so easy to persuade
oneself that by grace alone, in opposition to every other means, we obtain the
forgiveness of our sins and peace with God.”
Martin Luther
“The ‘pure in
heart’ are those who have had their sins forgiven and are resting in the merits
of Christ’s efficacious blood shed on the cross on their behalf. They are those who, clothed in Christ’s
righteousness, rest secure in Him. It is
only they who are bestowed upon the peace that passes all understanding.” BHY
“A
bad example may kindle a flame that years of amended character cannot quench.” C.H. Spurgeon
“Everything of duty and sin is the object of the
conscience. There is no way to get rid
of your conscience. The wicked try to
extinguish it. They flatter it with
carnal reasoning, bribe it with mock devotions, wound it with heinous
provocations, and trample it under foot by sinning in spite of it. They run from it, and will not listen to
it. They seek to blind it by diversions,
yet it is still active. The conscience
can stir the heart to see sin, perhaps forty years ago, as if it was
yesterday. Even emperors of the world
are troubled. Why don’t they shake it
off? Is it the fear of men or
shame? No! It was a secret sin. They are haunted by the fury of their own
consciences. Even the atheist cannot
relieve himself of God’s deputy, the conscience. They cannot sin in peace, and blow out the
candle of conscience. Your conscience is
your best friend. There is no greater
riches, pleasure, or safety, than a good conscience.” Samuel Annesley
“Bring
your lusts under the rule of your sanctified reason. What a silly thing is man in a fleshly
passion. Nothing is more ridiculous and
contemptible. If your lust overcomes
reason, bid your conscience to do its work, and look to Scripture for
support. If the love of God’s commands
will not restrain you, let the terrors and the thunders of His threats persuade
you. God will not be mocked. Seek to draw the stream of your lusts in a
different direction.”
John Gibbon
HEART SAVOR
·
Beware,
consciences can be seared as with a hot iron.
Take heed of your sin and do not count any small.
·
Get and keep a
clear conscience by seeking quick repentance.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
·
Never forget we
all live Coram Deo – before the face of God.
