A Healthy Conscience

  I ran across a saying recently that was very interesting.

 

"By delay of repentance, sin strengthens, and the heart hardens."

 

  It goes along with a scripture in Ecclesiastes 8:11.  "Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,  therefore the hearts of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."  In other words, when a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong.  Evil is only stopped when something stops it, therefore in the absence of a roadblock it continues to multiply.  The more it continues the more calloused the heart becomes.  If a person has sin in his heart, a healthy conscience will prod him to make it right immediately.  If he doesn't, the voice of conscience becomes weaker the more it is ignored.  A healthy conscience helps keep a person tenderhearted.  And that is the kind of person the Lord loves; one who keeps a repentant spirit.  David, in Psalm 51, said, "Renew a right spirit within me."  Having a tender spirit and disposition is pleasing to God.  Let us all strive to keep a tender spirit.  If we do or say something wrong, do your best to make it right quickly.  The longer we put it off, the harder it becomes, and the harder our heart becomes.

 

Praying for you

Pastor Ritchey