GUARD YOUR CONSCIENCE

“For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their yes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”—Matthew 13:15

In this scripture, the word waxed means to become inattentive, dull, and callous.  According to the Dakes Annotated Reference Bible, “the idea conveyed is that the people have become this way little by little, until they were past normal, vigorous obedience to truth and righteousness.”

A person is not born with a dull or calloused heart, nor do you suddenly become this way.  It is a gradual condition that happens over a prolonged period of time when your conscience is violated repeatedly, even in the small things. 

Guarding your conscience will keep you sensitive to God and will stop your heart from becoming hardened.  Staying sensitive to the Holy Spirit, even in the small things, will increase your understanding and help you in your continuing maturity in the Lord. 

If you sin habitually and make no effort to resist your flesh, your conscience becomes defiled and condemns you.  “Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled” (Titus 1:15).  God never condemns you because you are His child, and He loves you unconditionally; but your conscience will condemn you.  While you walk here on the earth, your awareness of God’s love increases your confidence that will help you resist temptation to sin, and keep a clear conscience and pure heart.

First John 3:21 says, “Beloved, if your heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”  Today be persuaded that God loves you no matter what!  Then you will have confidence to move forward in the life that He has for you overcoming sin and succeeding in every area of your life.

Prayer—Father I repent of becoming dull of hearing and I thank you for helping me to keep a pure and clean conscience in every area of my life, in Jesus Name. Amen.