December 16, 2004
Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…
-1 Timothy 4:1-2
Dogs are smart. Have you ever seen a dog that is tied up by a rope chase after a squirrel, bird, person, or a passing car? When a dog like this hears something like what was just mentioned, he takes off like a shot in the direction of the sound forgetting that he is tied up. It doesn’t matter…he puts his whole body into the effort of tracking down the offender.
By the time he reaches the end of his rope, traveling at maximum velocity, he instantly feels the rope pulling him to a jarring halt. Even though dogs can truly be intelligent creatures…they sometimes never learn their limits.
We also have a strong, moral tug on the soul that God built in us. It is intended to pull us back when we go beyond what is good and right. God has given us the Holy Spirit and a conscience to lead us in the right direction.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t always stop us from going too far like the dog’s rope. Our conscience can become numb when we abuse it over and over again. It can be given the wrong information so that we may feel guilt when no real guilt exists. Or, we may be guilty and not even feel it.
As Christians, we must know that moral limits God has placed on our lives. It is for our own good and we must choose to live within those limits. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and God’s Word to lead us in the right direction. If we live according to these guidelines, our spirits will become accustomed to God’s holy standard of living. Seek to find God’s holy standard of living, and choose to stick with the plan so you can enjoy the freedom and joy that comes with patterning your life after Christ’s.
ALLOW GOD’S WORD TO BE YOUR CHART,
AND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE YOUR COMPASS.