Scripture:
“Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.”
1 Timothy 1:19 NLT
Observation
Paul urges Timothy to pay attention to his conscience and obey it. It is the Holy Spirit that is telling you where you should be going and doing. Paul warns Timothy that violating his conscience is the start of the downward spiral of backsliding.
We are all given consciences and it is like our moral GPS. When there is something that we should or shouldn’t be doing, it warns us. Of course, we can override its warnings, but often unlike a GPS, the programming slowly deteriorates as we ignore the warnings over and over until we plunge of a cliff or are so lost we have no idea how to get back. As Christians we are given a spiritual GPS. This particular GPS helps us to live a life to become more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit guides us and tells us which direction to take to live a life more like Jesus. However, because God allowed us to have free will, can choose whether or not to follow, not without consequence though. We will feel the Holy Spirit tug on our hearts to turn back when we ignore His direction. He is calling us to get back on the path that leads to life and not destruction, a path that leads to being more like Christ.
Application
I have to ask myself, “Is my conscience clear?” I know that I can’t say it is. Not from any sin, but rather just procrastination. I have so many tasks to do that I feel overwhelmed and that pushes me to avoid doing things. I have gotten started and almost finishing some of the tasks I have but there is still much to go and I can’t waste any more time.
Prayer
Lord God Almighty, thank you for the Holy Spirit that you have given to us. Thank you for your direction and guidance that we can live to be more like Christ. I thank you for your mercy and as I face these tasks help me to overcome my procrastination. I ask for your forgiveness form not listening to the Holy Spirit to get things done earlier. I ask for your mercy and help. Help us all to be more sensitive and obey your directions through your Holy Spirit in our lives. I ask of this i Your Name, Jesus! Amen!
