The Importance of The Clear Conscience 80 [Gen 20:1-18] / Anne's Faith Column

 

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The Importance of

The Clear Conscience 80

[Gen 20:1-18]

 / Anne's Faith Column 

 

 

/ By Priscilla 

 

Abraham did wrong of

deceiving his wife as his sister

when he was put in a

difficult situation.

 

 

The attitude of 'Abimelech'

rebuking Abraham for this

gives us a new challenge

as believers.

 

 

Even if we are Christians, there

are times when we are conscious

of the people around us

 

 

and use tricks to avoid the

crisis when we need to a

void difficulties,

 

 

and when it is related

to our own profits,

 

 

or when the situation

becomes unfavorable to us.

 

 

Sometimes we try to justify

ourselves by saying that it is

just a lie that we had to do

in an unavoidable situation.

 

 

The more we lie,

the more our conscience

is seared, and eventually

we come to reach a state

of spiritual insensitivity 

 

 

in which we

no longer feel guilty.

 

 

So, why do we repeat

lies over and over and create

such a false life for the sake

of our own profits?

 

 

Also, where does such a

consciousness come from?

 

 

Abraham just wanted

to use Abimelech to escape

the crisis through his

beautiful wife

 

 

in a human way in a severe

famine, but God did

not allow this.

 

 

King Abimelech, who took

what Abraham had said as it was,

tried to take Sarah as his wife.

 

 

However, when Abimelech

showed kindness to an alien

and found himself in a

difficult situation,

 

 

he came to learn the full story

of the incident through

God's intervention.

 

 

After Abimelech learned

that Sarah was Abraham's wife,

he spoke to Abraham who had

chosen the wrong way to avoid 

the danger of his own life:

 

 

"How have I wronged you?

How come you have done

such a thing to me?"

 

 

Abimelech, who had not

known about it, almost made

a fatal mistake, and he rebuked

Abraham fiercely.

 

 

His critical words pierce

into our hearts and

give us a lesson.

 

 

In fact, it all started with

the mistake of Abraham,

who acted evil for good. 

 

 

But surprisingly, through this,

we can realize that God would

cover even the mistakes

of his chosen people

 

 

and keep them as

the apple of His eye.

 

 

On the contrary, seeing

that God was trying to

punish Abimelech,

 

 

who didn't know anything 

about it and almost committed

 

 

a sin, we are moved by

His love for taking care

of and protecting the

chosen people.

 

 

Even a believer can make

this kind of momentary

mistake or lie in order to

get out of the crisis he faces.

 

 

But to those who have

faith especially God does

not allow these lies. 

 

 

On the contrary,

God never tolerates even

a secret scheme and reveals

even a small mistake

in public.

 

 

It is because God wants

all those who are chosen by God

to mature in faith and live with

clear consciences.

 

 

That is where the importance

of a clear conscience is.

 

 

So what should we do?

 

 

1) We must be honest

with God and people

without lies.

 

 

2) We should not be calculating

by seeking our own interests

too much.

 

 

3) When making a decision,

we should first tell God about it.

 

 

Prayer

 

Lord!

 

 

May I live with a clear conscience.

Please cover my shame and wrongs!

 

 

- To Be Continue - 

 

07/06/2010

 

/ By Priscilla