I heard about a man who once promised the Lord that he would sell one of his calves and give the money to the church to be used in mission work. But he disregarded this promise and never followed through. Every time he went to church services his conscience would remind him, ‘The calf must be sold!’ Still he did nothing about it.
One Sunday he decided to go to an outdoor meeting in the rural community where he lived.
As he approached, the people were singing an old familiar hymn, “The half has never yet been told.” Since the man’s conscience was still bothering him, he misunderstood the words and he thought he heard, “The calf has never yet been sold.” Running toward the group, he shouted, “Stop! Please stop singing! I know the calf has not yet been sold, but it will be tomorrow.”
A conscience trained in accordance with God’s will can be of great help to us in many situations. It has prevented many a person from lying, cheating, stealing, etc.
It is also wonderful to have a clear conscience. If your conscience is not clear you need to take the necessary steps to make it so.
But you can reach the point in your life when your conscience no longer bothers you. It can become hardened or seared as with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:2- “Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” This is a pitiable condition! Where it no longer bothers one that he is lost and in need of salvation.
The dishonest person can get to the point that his conscience doesn’t bother him. The cheat, liar, adulterer, or meddler in other men’s matters can reach the same sad state.
Be thankful for your conscience and always keep it trained correctly. Keep it clear by being a faithful Christian.
- Bob Clardy; via The Contender, the weekly bulletin published by the Walnut Grove Church of Christ in Benton, KY. Kevin Williams preaches for the congregation. He may be contacted through the church's website: http://walnutgrovechurchofchrist.org/
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