One of the marks of a true servant of God is his honesty and integrity: he practices what he preaches. This does not mean he is sinlessly perfect, but that he sincerely seeks to obey the Word of God. He tries to maintain a good conscience.

A conscience can become “seared” or “cauterized.” Just as a person’s flesh can be “branded” so that it becomes hard and without feeling, so a person’s conscience can be deadened. Whenever we affirm with our lips something that we deny with our lives (whether people know it or not), we deaden our consciences just a little more. Jesus made it clear that it is not religious talk or even performing miracles that shows a person is qualified for heaven, but doing God’s will in everyday life (Matthew 7:21-29).
Believing and behaving always go together.

Today’s verse: “Fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith” (1 Timothy 1:19-20, NIV).

Read: 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:1-5; Matthew 7:21-29.

Action assignment: Consider some things that could happen to you today that would call for you to choose between right and wrong. Determine now that your choice will please God. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you the “follow-through” allowing you to live in a way that doesn’t have to be regretted.

Warren W. Wiersbe
www.backtothebible.in