CONSEQUENCES!

 

Saturday, June 27, 2026

 

CONSEQUENCES!

 

Gal 6:7-9

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season, we shall reap, if we faint not.

 

          A consequence is the penalty or the reward we receive from a decision we have made. We are free moral agents and not puppets of a God who pulls all the strings. While we are free to make choices those choices have accompanying consequences.

 

          Our text uses an agricultural analogy. If you plant corn, you can’t expect watermelon as a crop. By the same analogy, we can determine your choices by observing your fruit. This is exactly what Jesus said in Matthew 7:20. “By their fruits ye shall know them.”

 

          This truth should cause us to be cautious regarding which life force we obey. The flesh is always demanding attention and pampering. We may give ourselves completely to the demands of the flesh but there are consequences. The Spirit – God’s Holy Spirit – is always cooing and wooing us to do right and to do well. If we listen and obey there are consequences.

 

          Verse 9 seems to indicate that “well doing” requires much more forethought and energy than wrongdoing. We are advised not to grow weary of the effort because there are consequences and rewards.

 

Heb 11:24-26

24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

 

Dear Lord, help me to keep my wits about me when I make choices. AMEN

 

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

Friday, June 26, 2026

 

FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE!

 

1 Tim 1:18-20

18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

 

          Combat gear can weigh what seems to be a ton, but warriors know that some pieces of equipment are absolutely essential in a fire fight. Mess kits may be abandoned and bed rolls tossed aside until the battle is over, but your weapon and sufficient ammo are a must.

 

          Such was the instruction of Paul to young Timothy. Two pieces of spiritual equipment are essential to “war a good warfare” and those are faith and a good conscience.

 

          Webster's Dictionary defines conscience as "the sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action." The word “conscience” is the Greek word suneidesis and means “being aware of your moral condition.”

 

          The conscience can be “seared” by repeated exposure to the abuse of wrong decisions. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; (1 Tim 4:1-2). It is dangerous to ignore your internal alarm! The result is shipwreck.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley says that our conscience responds to “programming.” It is formed by either good or bad input. If that is so we must filter and control what we allow into our mind.

 

Prov 4:23

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

 

Dear Lord, I can’t trust my conscience to be my guide. Guide me by Thy Holy Spirit today. AMEN

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Thursday, June 25, 2026

 

UNHEALTHY COMPROMISE!

 

Rom 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

          Compromise is part of the give and take of daily life. Husbands and wives compromise on which restaurant to visit but both are still able to enjoy a good meal. No deep-seated values have been damaged and harmony is maintained. That is what we would call a healthy compromise. Each one gives up something to gain something.

 

          Unhealthy compromise is when we give up deeply held values to avoid ridicule or discomfort. Paul understood that maintaining strong values required sacrifice. It often involved denying comfort to the body. It ignores the holiness of God and considers the reward of such a decision reasonable.

 

          Conformity to the world always presents a danger to the spiritual integrity of man. Resistance requires a new way of thinking. We preface each decision with the question “Would this please God?” God is always given the right to refuse us what we want to maintain our spiritual strength. We listen to God. We obey God.

 

1 Peter 2:11

11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

 

Dear Lord, I often spoil myself with luxuries. Prompt me whenever my self-pampering endangers my values and convictions. AMEN