Are you offending yourself?

I’m going to talk about our conscience today. The bible says you are to be at peace with yourself, with others, and with God. Just take a minute to think about that question…. I’m not talking about your circumstances. I’m talking about your conscience.

One of the most miserable ways to live is to know that what you are doing is wrong and keep doing it. Do you have secrets? Do you plot in your mind like a chess game? Are you pressured by things you are hiding?

All of us have blind spots but God came to bring life into the darkness of those blind spots. In order for us to really begin to see our blind spots ( deceit, pride, self-seeking, lust, manipulation,) we need God! I’m not talking about just believing in God though. See, we only have two options when our time here is up and the choices we make now will have an impact on where we land. Sometimes, in this life but definitely in our eternal life.

Let’s break down scripture so I don’t frighten you but help you open your eyes to what I am also opening my eyes to.

If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye cause you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell- Matthew 18:8-9 

What in the world did Jesus mean in this scripture? Sounds so terrifying because we all fall short. Remember, our righteous acts are like filthy rags so how?

What Jesus means in this scripture is that whatever behavior ( your behavior) is offending you cut it out because it is like a poison. Considering the subtlety of Satan, (Satan entices and then slowly destroys.), the depravity of men’s hearts, and the foolishness that is found there, it is morally impossible for us to do anything of eternal value without God.

See, this life is not about us, it’s about God and what God can do through us if we grant Him total access. He is patient and kind so He will help you in your times of trouble.

Maybe you have done things wrong for so long that your conscience is so seared that you don’t see right from wrong anymore. We will give an account for the way have chosen to live. We cannot live in purposeful, continuous sin and think it’s going to keep working for us. In order to ascend we need to descend- the foot of the cross. God gave us this amazing gift of free-will but it was not meant for us to take advantage of our Father and others. He put laws and commands to help guide us. Our bible is our guide. However, if we don’t know who we are in Christ first, we will struggle through our works.  Once we repent and surrender; God picks us up and starts the heart and brain transplant. Our part is turning to Him and receiving all He has for us.

Joyce Meyer says it’s a high price for a cheap moment when we let temptations pulls us down where the enemy wants us.  When you sow to the spirit, you will reap life. When you sow to the flesh, you will reap ruin, decay, and destruction.

You get into the word of God daily and God will start convicting your conscience in the most loving way. He will break those chains that the enemy loves to bind you in. To think that wrong behavior is right is a terrible way to live. We are in times where people think good is evil and evil is good.

God wants more for you and me than we will ever know but Paul said to Timothy, warn, urge, encourage, and rebuke  God’s people.

Anyone who really loves us will bring correction, just like parents with their children. God is the only one with all the answers and all the truth. Give Him room to move in your life so you can have your rightful inheritance.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses, Now choose life, so that you and your children may have life. – Deuteronomy 30:19

He’s saying to all of us, “Come up higher!” “Humble yourself before Me so I can do a good work through you.”  It all starts with opening up your bible. You cannot be in the presence of God and not receive healing and correction if you allow Him room. Unpack your busyness and rest in Him.

Therefore put on My image and know who you are in Christ.