Keeping Our Conscience Clean and Strong

Ephesians 5: 3But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. NKJV

3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. NLT

As disciples of Jesus, following His example of life, obedience and purity, what should keep us in His Truth? Certainly our conscience is a determining factor to our walk.  The conscience has been a subject of much debate through the ages.  Let’s just say it is a major part of our relationship with God and His indwelling Holy Spirit.  The conscience is like an alarm system that should be our first warning of trouble.  During my wayward years I learned that I could resist that inner voice warning me to be careful or even run!  I could battle my conscience until it’s voice grew quieter and quieter.  Through a decision I could simply overpower my conscience.  Paul writes to Timothy and says in I Tim. 1: 19 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.  What a powerful and frightening possibility!  Well, what is proper for a disciple of Jesus?  Whatever would be proper for Jesus. As only one example, I have had many fellow believers recommending movies to me that they said, “You really need to see."  I have been stunned!  I buy my ticket, settle in with my coke and I am sickened soon by the language and sinful practices I see being acted out on the screens.  The Wolf of Wall Street for example uses the F Bomb over 400 times!  How is that possible?  American Sniper over 100 times.  Why do I sit there and am grieved by sex, violence and language when my Brothers and Sisters in Christ say they don’t even notice it?  Am I weaker than they?  Many years ago Teresa and I decided we would not watch movies rated worse that PG-13.  We avoid R rated movies unless they come on TV in a cleaned up version (somewhat).  I think some have made the decision that they are just going to open their lives to things that the Scripture says, “let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints”.  They allow Roger Ebert to tell them what to watch rather than Jesus. 

In all areas of life, not just movies, guard you conscience.  Listen carefully to it.  Don’t judge others but make sure you are keeping your personal guidance system sensitive and alert!