Conscience
2021-04-30Acts 23:1 NKJV
We know that God often speaks to us in a ‘still, small voice’ (1 Kings 19:12 NIV). Often, that voice comes to us via our conscience. God helps to direct our day-to-day life with tugs on our heart and passing thoughts. He can draw us towards His plan, and Himself, through our instincts. God is in the feelings that grow in our gut.
Paul understood the importance of paying attention to his conscience as a way to stay in tune with God. He wrote ‘I myself always strive to have a conscience without offence towards God and men’ (Acts 24:16 NKJV), and he was right when he acknowledged that it takes constant striving. It’s not always easy to hear past the noise of everything going on around us. Listening out for God’s voice speaking through our conscience takes practice. When we ignore those quiet thoughts, the tugging feeling in our heart that we know is right, we dull our senses a little more each time.
On the other hand, when we train ourselves to listen out for the small voice that we know is God’s, we’ll get better at recognising it. When our conscience is built up by God’s words and by knowing the Bible, we’ll start to want to do the right thing. We’ll start to recognise what God wants and expects of our more and more quickly.
Once we attune ourselves to hearing God’s voice in our own thoughts and feelings, our natural inclination will be to gladly live in accordance with His will every moment of our lives.