20th August

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 1 Corinthians 4, 4

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible. Ephesians 5, 13

Our conscience : a sundial

Natural conscience has been compared with a sundial which normally illuminated by sun indicates the time to the passer-by. Before we get converted our conscience cannot give us reliable indications because it is covered by the mist of our culture and by the opinions of our circle of friends. A statesman declares: "My conscience is good enough to express what I expect from her."

The sun which illuminates the sundial of a believer is the Word of God, when it is received and understood by the help of the Holy Spirit. Now, Bible knowledge with it's practical applications is not obtained in one day, neither by a theoretical study. Most of the time our conscience is refined and specified by the application of this Word in the living circumstances.

The apostle Paul declares that he is not made innocent by his good conscience : it is not an instrument which gives an absolute measure. Although he was a good apostle, he did not fully rely on his conscience.

Unfortunately, it happens that a bad desire or grudge which is developped can take away the feeling of good and evil like a cloud hides the sun. We can take care of our heart and of our conscience when we let God's light illuminate us through his word.