imported_rachel
08-24-2006, 11:59 AM
On one of my many weekend projects, I needed to purchase four small
bricks for my backyard. After considering the selection I decided on a
nice charcoal black brick which cost just a little more than the
standard red brick. The store was busy with several long lines of
shoppers intent on completing projects before the end of the day. I
chose a line and waited my turn.
The lines moved slow and there seemed to be an impatient tension all
around me. When it came my turn to pay, the clerk quickly computed the
price and took my money. As I received my change, I felt something was
wrong. And as I stepped toward the door, I knew I had been charged a
lower price.
My mind knew a mistake had been made, but my feet kept walking out the
door and toward my car. I knew I should have revealed the mistake, but
I began to justify my inaction: "I don't want to make others wait while
the correction is made!" "The mistake is small - little more than the
cost of a bar of candy." "The profit from my other purchases during
the year will certainly make up for this small loss."
Fortunately, my conscience began to counter my rationalization; and, by
the time I reached my car, that small inner voice was screaming at me
to correct the error - and correct it NOW! I walked back in the store,
waited in another long line, pointed to the error, and paid the extra
money. My conscience hasn't always been so sensitive - and I confess,
it's not always so sensitive now - but on this day it was and I praise
God!
Acts 24:16
"I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man."
God has created us all with a conscience deep within our soul. At a
very young age our conscience helps us maneuver the complex path of
right and wrong. And when we place our trust in Jesus for the
forgiveness of sin, we are given the Holy Spirit Who ignites our
conscience and guides us toward the presence of God and a life of
holiness.
But when we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our conscience
slowly becomes burned. The burning usually begins small - a little
lie, a small deception - but over time, our conscience can become
"seared as with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2). Then, when needed in a
time of great temptation, there is no "inner voice" to keep us from
falling. Our conscience is a precious gift, and it's hard to believe I
nearly damaged such a gift for the price of a candy bar.
Is our conscience sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit, or has it
developed a hard crust. Let's live so that all areas of our life bring
Him glory and honor. In ALL we do, let's listen intently, obey
completely, and protect God's wonderful gift as we strive to maintain a
clear conscience.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to devotions@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
bricks for my backyard. After considering the selection I decided on a
nice charcoal black brick which cost just a little more than the
standard red brick. The store was busy with several long lines of
shoppers intent on completing projects before the end of the day. I
chose a line and waited my turn.
The lines moved slow and there seemed to be an impatient tension all
around me. When it came my turn to pay, the clerk quickly computed the
price and took my money. As I received my change, I felt something was
wrong. And as I stepped toward the door, I knew I had been charged a
lower price.
My mind knew a mistake had been made, but my feet kept walking out the
door and toward my car. I knew I should have revealed the mistake, but
I began to justify my inaction: "I don't want to make others wait while
the correction is made!" "The mistake is small - little more than the
cost of a bar of candy." "The profit from my other purchases during
the year will certainly make up for this small loss."
Fortunately, my conscience began to counter my rationalization; and, by
the time I reached my car, that small inner voice was screaming at me
to correct the error - and correct it NOW! I walked back in the store,
waited in another long line, pointed to the error, and paid the extra
money. My conscience hasn't always been so sensitive - and I confess,
it's not always so sensitive now - but on this day it was and I praise
God!
Acts 24:16
"I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man."
God has created us all with a conscience deep within our soul. At a
very young age our conscience helps us maneuver the complex path of
right and wrong. And when we place our trust in Jesus for the
forgiveness of sin, we are given the Holy Spirit Who ignites our
conscience and guides us toward the presence of God and a life of
holiness.
But when we ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our conscience
slowly becomes burned. The burning usually begins small - a little
lie, a small deception - but over time, our conscience can become
"seared as with a hot iron" (1 Timothy 4:2). Then, when needed in a
time of great temptation, there is no "inner voice" to keep us from
falling. Our conscience is a precious gift, and it's hard to believe I
nearly damaged such a gift for the price of a candy bar.
Is our conscience sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit, or has it
developed a hard crust. Let's live so that all areas of our life bring
Him glory and honor. In ALL we do, let's listen intently, obey
completely, and protect God's wonderful gift as we strive to maintain a
clear conscience.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to devotions@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm