A devotional for the 5C's of Healthy Leader Development
Paul writes - I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefather did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 1 Timothy 2:3.
The word clear means, clean or pure, as in unmixed motives. This does not mean that Paul was perfect or always had it all together. Having a clear conscience means that when we offend God or someone, we don’t ignore it or deny it but we get it right either by seeking forgiveness, restitution or both so that we are free from hurt or harm.
Maintaining a clear conscience will be a way of life for us (so we better get used to it) and it is essential in building a strong community.
Keep your heart moist before the Lord and like the Apostle Paul, do your best to maintain a clear conscience toward both God and man, Acts 24:16.
Years ago a friend of mine was plagued with and dealing with false guilt. There is such a thing as real guilt and false guilt. In fact false guilt feels the same as real guilt. False guilt occurs when our heart still condemns us even though we have confessed our sin and received forgiveness from Jesus. But God is greater than your heart, so turn your eyes from your sin and stop trying to defend yourself against the accusations that bubble up. Instead, turn your eyes to the Cross of Christ and see the loving sacrifice of your Savior putting to death your "certificate of debt" that condemns you, (Read 1 John 3:19-21, Colossians 2:10-15). Turn your heart towards God's truth that there is no condemnation or those who are in Christ Jesus!
I took my friend to a nearby river and asked her to pick up a rock and throw it as far as she could into the muddy river. I then asked her where was the rock? She said in the middle of the river. Then we read the Scripture which says, He will cast all of our sins into the depths of the sea, Micah 7:19 (Read Micah 7:18-20). I asked her what is she doing "mentally" in the midst of the river searching for the sin when God says He has cast if far from her — as far as the east is from the west, Psalm 103:12).
As my friend mentally chewed on what God said, she was set free!
Challenging Assignment:
Ask the the Lord search your heart according to Psalm 139:23-24. If the Holy Spirit reveals a way of pain in you towards someone, take the initiative to seek peace. Don't allow resentment to linger and grow roots of bitterness, Hebrews 12:15. Don't allow unrighteous anger to remain embedded and in doing so give the evil one leverage in your relationships, Ephesians 4:26-32. Don't allow unconfessed sin to live any longer in your heart but confess it to the Lord and be done with it, Psalm 32.
Quiet your soul before the Lord and reflect on the forgiveness that flows from the Cross of Christ toward you. Now, pray for and forgive the one who has offended you. Hand them over to God. Read Romans 12:17-21 as a meditation for the week and write down your meditation in a journal.
