How Do I Know Which Direction to Go?

Daily writing promptWhat gives you direction in life?View all responses

I believe what my conscience says, even when I don’t like what it tells me to do or not to do. It often disagrees with my thought, feelings, and desires. I argue with it and try to persuade it that it is wrong. Even though my life experiences have taught me that if I disobey my conscience, I’m going to bring negative consequences into my life, I still occasional do.

There may be short-term pleasure (and even some pride) in violating my conscience, but it’s never worth the long-term guilt and shame that my rebellion produces inside of me. Because of that I strive to force my will to obey my conscience. My conscience tells me to think about and do whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

What is this entity called conscience that resides inside of me (and you, too)? Why does it try to tell me to do what is right and to avoid doing what is wrong? I believe that the human conscience is supernatural. Why? Because it disagrees with and works against human nature. Therefore, it must be above and beyond nature.

All humans are created in the image of God. However, we all in varying degrees have rebelled against and rejected God’s image in us. We have disfigured it, but we can’t completely get rid of it. I believe that our conscience is the remaining (but distorted) image of God within us.

Because we have twisted and distorted our conscience it’s not 100% reliable, but it can point us to truth. It can teach us to seek and recognize God and to listen to and obey His inner voice. Our conscience can help lead us to the kingdom (the inner government) of God. It can help lead us to the true Christianity that was experienced by the earliest Christ-followers which they described for us in the New Testament portion of the Bible.

Here’s an example of how their writings bring light to my heart and to my daily life. I believe that 1 John 2:12-14 tells us that true Christianity teaches and demonstrates by the way Christ-followers live, that:

* Sins are forgiven because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He alone paid the penalty for our sins.
* The same Jesus who was in the beginning with God is God (John 1:1) and we can know Him heart-to-heart by having a never ending, surrendered, and glorious relationship with Him here and now.
* Believers can overcome the devil and his evil thoughts, feelings, desires, and temptations.
* Christ-followers can now personally know, relate to, surrender to, and live in the kingdom (under the inner and direct government) of God the Father, not just know about Him.
* The word of God comes alive in Christ-followers and makes them supernaturally strong as they continually listen to and obey His voice.

It’s supernatural (beyond nature) for people to bless those who curse them and to love their enemies. We need more of those kinds of miracles.

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