December 5, 2012
Anyone ever ask you if you
have scruples? Do you even know what
that means, really? The dictionary
defines scruples as “a doubt or hesitation that troubles the conscience or that
comes from the difficulty of determining whether something is right.” So, if someone asks you if you have scruples
they really want to know if you know right from wrong. So do you?
I have learned from experience that if you don’t know the truth you will
believe a lie. I have also learned that you
can know the truth and deliberately ignore it to satisfy your own sinful desires.
Romans 1:18-20 says “The
wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and
wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to
them, because God has made it plain to them. For
since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and
divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made,
so that people are without excuse.”
The Bible packs a pretty
good punch saying we can clearly see and are without excuse. And it also calls people wicked and godless
those who suppress the truth. That is
all well and good when you realize how bad the world has gotten with all the
sinful desires and acts that are prevalent.
But what about you? Do you
classify yourself in this category? Do
you act wicked and godless? What do you
struggle with that makes you doubt or hesitate and troubles your conscience? Do you look the other way when something is
obviously wrong? Do you participate in
things that you know is wrong but do it anyway?
Are you satisfying your own sinful desires and trying to tiptoe away
hoping no one will call what you do sin, not to mention God seeing it?
Maybe you speed knowing
that you are breaking the law. Maybe you
keep that extra change at the store knowing it doesn’t belong to you. Maybe you are having sex outside of marriage
knowing full well that God does not approve.
Maybe you just told a “little lie” or a really big one for some selfish
reason. Maybe you are around people that
are leading you in the wrong direction. What
could be clouding your conscience to do the right thing?
We are all clearly sinful,
that is a fact. The good news is that
God forgives sin. When we humble ourselves
and confess our sins God will forgive us and set us on a new path. But, we have to choose to walk that path in
the correct direction following God’s ways and His truth. That is not only a day to day process but a
moment by moment process. The enemy
tempts us constantly to make the wrong decisions. But with God as our strength and our power we
can resist that temptation.
“No temptation has
overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will
not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he
will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
So how do you keep a clear
conscience and have scruples? You must
first know what truth is. We learn that
by studying God’s Word. And we have to
train just as a runner does for the race.
That means constantly training, not just to read it sometimes. If a runner runs only a little here and there
he will not have built up the endurance he needs to run a successful race. We too, need endurance to run this spiritual
and moral race of life. When moral dilemmas
are presented to us we must know how to respond and how to resist. And the more we resist the easier it
becomes. Oh, we will still be
tempted. That is a fact. However, the more we practice resistance the
more commonplace it will become. Then we
will be able to stand against evil.
“Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against
the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on
the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth
buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield
of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians
6:10-17
So let me ask you
again. Do you have scruples and a clear
conscience? Strive today to resist evil
and walk the path of righteousness. Get
into God’s word and find out how to live.
And keep reading and resisting and live a righteousness life so no one
will ever have to ask you if you have scruples.
Live your life in such a way that people know without a doubt where you
stand.
1 comment:
Hi Brenda,
I love your blog, but this post resonated with me because as a person with a strong moral compass, I have a tough time living in this unscrupulous world. Thank you for making it plan: we must always do right ~ even when it's tempting and so easy to do wrong. I'm a person of scruples and excellence without apology!
PS: I see that you've taken a break. I hope you return soon. Please know your work is not in vain. I enjoy your
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