Developing a Sacred Conscience

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

God has given you a conscience for your protection. To develop and trust that "warning system," you must be committed to take action.

Apply the Word of God to daily living. As you learn and put into practice "the perfect law that gives freedom" (James 1:25), your conscience will grow stronger because you know God's heart better. Your spiritual instincts will become sharper regarding what pleases Him.

Arrive at decisions through prayer. Instead of choosing something merely because it looks, sounds, or feels good, bring every issue and decision before the Lord in prayer.

Agree to obey God. When you strongly desire to do things the Lord's way, you will consistently ask, What does God want me to do? This practice will enable you to discern and follow the Holy Spirit's lead.

Acquire a deeper sensitivity to the Spirit's conviction. We are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1), so we must recognize the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and condemnation from the Enemy. The Spirit always shows us exactly what needs repentance-He doesn't give us a sense of vague guilt. His conviction has the purpose of turning us back to Him.

Abandon yourself to the perfect will of God.

If you recommit daily to be a "living sacrifice" for God alone, your inner compass will follow that commitment and steer you toward the Lord. As you refuse to conform to this world's pattern and renew your thinking according to the mind of Christ, you will be able to "test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will" (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).