Lesson 7: Obey Your Conscience!
To be a happy Christian I must have a clear conscience. I must know in my heart that I am right with God and right with other people.
If we have sinned against God or against some other person, we must make things right with them. In our last lesson we learned how to do this. But we also want to learn how to keep from doing wrong things.
How can we know what is wrong?
There are two ways we can know if something is wrong. One way is by seeing what the Bible says about it. If God's Word says something is wrong, then it is wrong, no matter what others may say about it. For example, we know that it is wrong to steal because God's Word says, "Thou shalt not steal."
A second way we can know what is wrong is by listening to our conscience. Our conscience is like a little voice inside of us that tells us what God thinks about a matter. Our conscience will do two things for us:
1. Our conscience will tell us when we have done something wrong.
2. Our conscience will warn us that something is wrong before we do it.
Our conscience is a wonderful gift from God and we should learn to listen to our conscience and obey it.
How to obey your conscience
In obeying your conscience, there are two simple rules to follow:
1. If you have done something wrong, confess it to God at once.
2. If your conscience warns you that something is wrong, don't do it.
Whatever God tells you to do in your conscience, do it. The Lord wants us to obey Him. Let us consider these two rules in obeying our conscience.
TWO RULES TO OBEY
1. If you have done something wrong, CONFESS IT TO GOD at once!
2. If your conscience warns you that a certain thing is wrong, DON'T DO IT!
1. If you have done something wrong, confess it to God at once!
When you do something wrong, you will have an uneasy feeling inside. This is your conscience telling you that you are wrong.
When your conscience tells you that you have done something wrong, confess it to God at once. The Bible says,
"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
We cannot confess our sins by just praying, "Lord, please forgive me of all my sins." Our sins were committed one by one and we must confess them one by one.
Whatever sin you are confessing, say to God, "Father, I have sinned against you by (name the sin), and I am confessing this sin to You and asking You to forgive me. I thank You that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood for this sin."
When we confess our sins to God, He forgives us and makes us clean again in His sight. But God does not want His children to keep on sinning. The Bible says, "My little children, these things write I unto you, THAT YOU SIN NOT." (I John 2:1)
When you think about how much Christ loved you and how He suffered and died in order that you might be forgiven of your sins, it should touch your heart and cause you to say, "I don't want to do that again."
What happens if we keep on sinning and will not confess and forsake our sins? God will chasten (reprove) us. God has ways by which He can chasten us when we continue to disobey Him.
Sin breaks our fellowship with God and brings his chastening hand upon us.
God could let us get sick or have an accident. God does not chasten us because He hates us, but because He loves us. The Bible says, "For whom the Lord loves He chastens." (Hebrews 12:6)
2. If your conscience warns you that something is wrong, don't do it!
Your conscience not only tells you when you have done something wrong, but it also warns you when you are about to do something wrong. It lets you know that this thing you are thinking of doing is not pleasing to the Lord and you should not do it.
When your conscience tells you that a certain thing is wrong, don't do it. Your friends may be doing it and they may tell you that there is nothing wrong with it. But if your conscience tells you that something is wrong then it is wrong for you to do it, no matter what others may say.
Remember, you have a conscience which tells you what is right and what is wrong for you. You must obey your conscience, regardless of what others may be doing.
The Bible tells about a young man named Samson whom God chose to be a deliverer for his people. The Israelites had done evil and God had allowed them to become slaves of their enemies, the Philistines. But God raised Samson up to be a mighty deliverer for his people.
So far as we know, there was nothing unusual about Samson's appearance, but he was the strongest man who ever lived. Where did his great strength come from? It came from God!
When God's power came upon him, Samson could do things that were impossible otherwise. On one occasion, Samson took the jawbone of a donkey and killed a thousand Philistine soldiers!
But Samson began doing things that God did not want him to do. Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah and he was doing wrong things with her.
Samson's conscience must have warned him many times that he was doing wrong, but he did not obey his conscience. Samson continued to see Delilah. This woman pretended to love Samson, but she was secretly planning to betray him.
Finally, Delilah succeeded in her plan. She delivered Samson into the hands of his enemies. The Philistines captured Samson, put out his eyes, bound him in chains, and put him in prison grinding corn.
The story of Samson's disobedience is one of the saddest stories in the Bible and God wants us to learn something from it. The thing we should learn is this: Do not disobey your conscience.
If your conscience tells you not to do something, don't do it. Your friends may be doing it, but don't you do it. They may beg you to do it, but just say "No."
The following is a true story about a young fellow who allowed his friends to talk him into disobeying his conscience:
Before Tom became a Christian, he used to drink beer with his friends. After he became a Christian, things were different. He no longer wanted to go to the beer joint and drink beer. His old friends didn't like this, so they begged Tom and teased him until he gave in and started drinking beer again with them.
One night Tom and his friends had been drinking. They had a terrible accident. The car in which they were riding turned over and smashed. Tom's back was broken just below the neck.
Tom spent many days and nights in the hospital. Now Tom uses a wheelchair to get around. He will never walk again. This tragedy would not have happened if Tom had just said "No."
Just say "No"
As you grow up, you will face many temptations. You may be offered drugs, and told about the "great feeling" you will have when you take them. Just say "No." (Be sure to tell an adult whom you can trust about any situation in which you have been offered drugs.)
Someone you know may try to get you to smoke. Just say, "No." A friend may try to get you to drink beer or wine or some other alcoholic beverage. Just say, "No." You may have friends who are involved in these things and they may try to get you to join them, but just say, "No." The Bible says, "My son, if sinners entice you (try to get you to do wrong), consent thou not (don't do it!)." (Proverbs 1:10)
Learn to say, "No!"
MY PLEDGE
I know who I am, and that I belong to God.
I want to stay healthy and happy and right with God.
I am deciding right now that I will say "NO!"
to sex outside of marriage, drugs, and alcohol.
Sooner or later almost every young person is tempted by sex. When a guy and a girl get involved in sex before marriage, it is called fornication. This is one of the worst sins that young people can possibly be involved in. It can ruin a person's chances of a happy marriage. If you value your future and you want to have a happy marriage some day, you will refuse to be involved in sex before marriage.
Prepare yourself now to say "No" to this temptation. Say to yourself, "Some day I will be married and then sex will be all that God intends it to be, and I'm sure not going to mess things up now." When the time comes that you are tempted with sex, say "No" and stick to your decision.
How to say "No"
Learning to say "No" is the best way to stay out of trouble. It is not easy because your friends may dare you to do some thing or threaten you if you don't do it, but saying "No" helps you gain confidence. You feel good about yourself because you were able to make your own decision and stick to it. Here are some ways to say "No":
- Tell your friend that you value the friendship but you do not wish to act as they want you to.
- Use the strictness of your parents to turn down a dare. Don't be afraid to say, "My dad (or my mother) would tear me up if I did that."
- Use humor to lighten the situation. Tell your friends, "I'm proud to be a good red-blooded chicken, and I expect to live longer because of it."
- Say, "No thanks. See You later," and leave quickly.
- Say, "I promised myself that I wouldn't do that, and I believe in keeping my word."
- Do NOT give up your convictions — what you think is right — to please other people. Say "No" in a firm voice and say it as many times as necessary. The Bible says, "You shall not follow a crowd to do evil." (Exodus 23:2)
Right now, will you commit yourself to say "No" to drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marriage and anything else that is harmful to you? If this is your decision, make the pledge below your own personal promise:
My Pledge
I know who I am and that I belong to God.
I want to stay healthy and happy and right with God.
I can stand up for myself and make my own decision and stick to it.
I am deciding right now that I will say "No" to sex outside of marriage, drugs, alcohol,
and anything else that is harmful to me and against my conscience.
(A story series written by Edna Menzies.)
On their way to the morning Bible lesson, Wendy and Susan shouted for Maggie and Cheryl to hurry. Soon their two buddies came scurrying out of cabin 8 and joined them.
"I've got all my things packed, except for the dress I'll be wearing home," Cheryl told them. "I can hardly wait for my mother and daddy to come."
"I hope your mother won't mind when she sees you wearing jeans," Susan said, a bit troubled.
"I wrote and told her, so she will be used to the idea by now." Cheryl gave a little giggle as she skipped along beside them. "I know my daddy won't mind. He always said I should get out and play with the other kids on our street. I hope I can too. It will be fun. And I want to tell the kids about the Lord Jesus and all the things I've learned here at camp."
"I wish my mother and daddy would come, but I don't think there is much chance that they will take time off from their work," Wendy said with a sigh.
"My parents are coming. Would you like to meet them?" Maggie asked shyly.
"Of course I would, Maggie." Wendy linked her arm in Maggie's as she spoke. "You're my camp buddy, and I want you to write to me. Will you?"
Maggie nodded wordlessly, but she looked at Wendy with shining eyes. As Wendy smiled back at her, she thought to herself, "Maggie has changed a lot in just one week. She keeps herself clean too, now that she has enough clothes."
The girls stopped their chatter as they entered the main building and settled down for the Bible lesson. Mr. Douglas told them that Biff had been found late the night before. He said that Biff was unharmed but was too worn out to attend the morning class. Then Mr. Douglas went on to explain that when we disobey, we not only bring trouble upon ourselves, but often our friends and family have to suffer too.
"I'm glad to say," Mr. Douglas smiled kindly as he continued, "yesterday's trouble has caused one boy to change his ways. Pete, do you want to come up and tell us about it?"
Pete made his way slowly toward the front. "I don't know what to say-I-uh—," he paused. Then running his fingers through his hair, he struggled on, "I'm sorry about taking Bobby's money. I've already paid him back and asked him to forgive me.
"And I'm sure sorry I cut Brian's wallet. I-I guess I was mad at Brian because I could see he was trying to please Jesus. I kept telling myself that I wasn't going to read the Bible and learn the verses and all that stuff. Down inside me though, I felt as mean and miserable as a dog with a sore paw. So I told Biff I was going to come back and own up to everything. He got mad and we had a fight and I got stung with hornets. But when Brian and Randy were helping me home, I told Brian I was sorry. He forgave me and showed me how I could ask Jesus to forgive me and be my Savior. So I I-did. And-well-I guess that's all."
"Thank you, Pete," Mr. Douglas said. "We are all very glad that you have taken the Lord Jesus as your Savior. You will find it is the only way you can be truly happy."
Mr. Douglas then spoke briefly but with deep feeling on the sin of disobedience. When he had finished, the room was very still. Mr. Douglas looked at the boys and girls in silence for a minute, then he said, "If anyone wants to stay and speak to your counsellor, you may do so. The rest of you are dismissed."
Once outside, Brian and Randy came over to where Susan and Wendy were standing. Cheryl and Maggie came running up to them and begged Wendy and Susan to come and meet their parents who had just arrived.
Later, after lunch and a short rest period, the children all gathered in the playing field for the final races and games. As Wendy and Susan were practicing the three legged race before the games began, Wendy stopped and untied the cloth from her leg.
"You should do this race with someone else, Susan. I just can't get started right, and I always hold you back."
"That's all right, Wendy," Susan said cheerfully. "We'll do our best, even if we don't win."
Wendy thought to herself, If Susan could win this race, she would be sure to get the prize Bible. Suddenly an idea hit her—hard. She looked over to where Linda Sooter and a girl named Sally were practicing the same race. Linda seemed to be dragging Sally half the time.
Wendy sprinted across the field and grabbed Linda's arm. "Linda," she said urgently, "come here a minute. I want to ask you something."
Linda gave Wendy a suspicious look. Then she followed her to a spot where they could be by themselves. "Listen," Wendy said. "I can't do the three legged race any better than Sally can. But you and Susan are both good at it. You can win it. I know you can. Will you be Susan's partner and let me be Sally's?"
Linda gave her an unbelieving stare. "Are you trying to trick me, Wendy Tompson?" she demanded.
"Trick you!" Wendy exclaimed. "I'm trying to help you and Susan win first in that race. I know you can do it! Come on and try it out."
Susan protested when she heard what Wendy wanted. But Wendy would not listen. Hurriedly she tied Linda's and Susan's legs together and told them to practice. Then she and Sally practiced together.
Just then the whistle blew, and the girls lined up for the three-legged race. Susan and Linda were in the first group, and at the sound of the whistle they were off like a flash. Wendy and Sally cheered them on, and Wendy screamed with delight when she saw Susan and Linda win first place.
Wendy and Sally tried in the next group but did not get very far before they stumbled and were out of the race.
"Oh, Wendy," Susan said unhappily. "I'm sorry you didn't make it. Now I'm ahead of you in points. Did you know there were three points for first in this race?"
"Yes, but that's all right," replied Wendy. "I'm glad you won. Thanks, Linda," Wendy smiled at Linda who was still looking a bit surprised. "You and Susan sure made a good team in that race."
"Wendy and Susan, come quickly," Brian gasped as he trotted up to them. "Mother and Daddy have come. So have Randy's parents. Your mother is here too, Susan. And someone else, Wendy. Come and see."
The girls followed Brian through the crowd to where a group of parents and other visitors were sitting watching the sports. Wendy threw her arms around her mother and gave her father a big hug. Then she said "Hello" to Mrs. Blake.
"What about me, Wendy?" someone called. And there, sitting in a chair, her eyes twinkling, was granny.
"Oh, Granny," Wendy's voice rose in a squeak of surprise. "I'm so glad, glad, glad you are here." She flung her arms around Granny in a warm hug.
The rest of the afternoon passed like a dream to Wendy. After the sports were over, refreshments were served to the visitors. Then the prizes were given out. Wendy and Brian told their parents and Granny the names of those who won the prizes. They cheered when Joey won the sports prize and Jim Johnson the craft prize for the boys. When they heard that the prize cabin was cabin 8, Wendy began to tell Granny about Maggie and Cheryl.
Just then Mr. Douglas got up with the prize Bibles in his hand. A sudden hush settled over the excited children.
"We have had a splendid group of boys and girls at camp this year," Mr. Douglas said. "Among the girls it was a very close race. But the girl with the highest number of points is — Miss Susan Blake."
Wendy heaved a big sigh of relief as she saw Susan go forward and receive the Bible. "I wanted to win it, Granny," Wendy whispered, with her head on Granny's shoulder. "But Susan needed it more than I did. And she really earned it too."
Mr. Douglas had called up a boy to receive the prize Bible for the boys. Wendy did not know him very well. "He's a great guy," Brian assured them, "and he wanted that Bible a lot. I know he did."
"Now," Mr. Douglas continued. "We are starting something new this year. We have a list of boys and girls who have been outstanding in their cooperation, obedience, and helpfulness to their camp buddies. We feel that they have made a real contribution to the success of the camp. We want to give each of them a small reward."
As the names were called, Wendy was delighted to hear Brian's and — Randy's and Susan's names. Then her heart leaped as she heard her own name called. She went forward and gazed with wonder at the lovely little picture that was given to her. The picture was of a white-haired woman with an open Bible on her lap. Two children, a boy and a girl, were sitting at her knee as if listening to a story from the Bible. Underneath the picture were the words from Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."
Wendy and Brian ran back to show their pictures to their parents and Granny. Then they had to hurry and pack and say good-bye to all their friends. It seemed hard to believe that camp was over.
It was not until they were at home the next evening that they were able to tell Granny all the other things about camp that they wanted her to know. Brian told her all about his wallet. "Daddy was so pleased when I gave it to him. He didn't mind that it had been cut. He told me he thought it was well done and he was proud of me."
"Mother liked the little box I gave her," Wendy said, smiling. "And she read the verse I put inside it too. It was one I learned at camp."
"The hardest part of all was learning to grow more like Jesus," Wendy said. "I could see Brian growing. And I wanted to grow too."
"Sometimes I didn't grow very fast," Brian said with a shake of his head. "Remember how mad I got at my buddy and I felt real mean about him in side, too."
"Growing takes time," Granny told them. "But a boy who helped his buddy when he was in trouble, and then forgave that buddy freely, and even showed him how to take the Lord Jesus as his Savior—well, I feel sure that boy was learning to grow.
"And it seems to me that a girl who helps her buddy gain confidence in herself and takes time to win that buddy's friendship, is a girl who is growing. And only a girl who is learning to grow to be like Jesus can be happy to see her friend win a prize that she herself wanted."
"Oh, thank you, Granny," Wendy said. "I want to keep on growing every day, even if it is hard."
"Me too," Brian echoed. Then, with a sleepy "Good-night," the children went upstairs to bed.
THE END
