A Broken Conscience

• How can you tell when a little kid has done something wrong?

• How can you tell when someone very close to you has done something wrong?

Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.
1 Timothy 4:2

You’ve heard of a broken leg and a broken nose, but a broken conscience? It can happen. The conscience is that little voice in your head that tells you when you’ve done something wrong and encourages you to make it right. Even though it’s not a part of the physical human body, it’s as vulnerable as any limb or organ. If you’re not careful, your conscience can be weakened to the point that it’s no longer useful. And that’s a serious problem.

Think of your conscience as a carbon monoxide detector. It senses poisonous influences in your life, influences you may not even be aware of, and warns you about them before it’s too late. Without it, you’re in trouble.

When you’ve hurt someone, your conscience bugs you to make it right. When you pick up a damaging personal habit, your conscience prevents you from feeling good about it and encourages you to stop. Without a conscience, your social and personal life suffers.

The best way to keep your conscience healthy is to listen to it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t roll your eyes at it. Don’t silently accuse it of ruining your fun. Listen to it.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for creating us with a conscience. Open our ears to what it tells us, and what you tell us through it. Amen.