Daily Companion  | 5 November

SEARED WITH HOT IRON

Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.  - 1 Timothy 4:2 

As a man was grilling steaks of beef one evening the above verse came to mind. As the steaks began to get fried and burnt on the hot iron grill so is the conscience of wicked persons who speak lies in hypocrisy. As a reminder, the conscience is a state of awareness that one's actions or intentions are either morally right or wrong for example knowing when you are about to lie or commit an immoral act. This awareness within you could also come along with a feeling of obligation to do the right thing. 

But when the conscience is seared with hot iron, it becomes roasted, and unresponsive to moral judgment. Though sometimes kept suppressed by liars, conscience never dies. A seared conscience is a wicked, unsympathetic, daunting one. A seared conscience will kill a fellow human being without remorse. But a seared conscience doesn't start suddenly but gradually by lying little by little; by covering up small wrong deeds without confession. It develops over time with denial here and there. 

Dear friend, your conscience will undoubtedly be a witness against you on the day of judgment. "...their conscience also bearing witness... in the day God will judge the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:15,16). Your conscience is a portal to repentance and restitution, don't let it get seared. Conscience can convict and condemn, don't let it shame you with wicked acts. Like the men whom Jesus appealed to their conscience, “…and being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last.” (John 8:9). Conscience convicted Adam and Eve. And they heard the sound of the LORD God and…hid from the presence of the LORD God” (Genesis 3:8). 

A good conscience helps you to maintain a life of liberty, strong faith, righteousness and holiness: to keep you from immoralities and hypocrisy. Keeping God's Word in your heart will train your conscience to stay good, keep you from sin, and “have a conscience without offence toward God and men” (Acts 24:16). You can make good use of the conscience today through sincere repentance, restitution, and refraining from immoralities.  

Today’s Recite: Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: - 1 Timothy 1:19

Today’s Morning Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for a new day. I open up my heart before you to search me and see if there be any wrong action or offence toward You and anyone. I repent from every hypocrisy, denial, immoral act and suppression of my conscience. Send Your Spirit to me, to keep my conscience right and free of offence. I pray for those around me that You do the same for them in Jesus mighty name.  Amen   

Today’s Hymn: Search Me O God (CHS 58)