Erased Guilt

Erased Guilt

Genesis 43: ¹⁵ So the men took that present and Benjamin, and they took double money in their hand, and arose and went down to Egypt; and they stood before Joseph. ¹⁶ When Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the steward of his house, “Take these men to my home, and slaughter an animal and make ready; for these men will dine with me at noon.” ¹⁷ Then the man did as Joseph ordered, and the man brought the men into Joseph’s house.

 

¹⁸ Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and seize us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

 

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Joseph’s brothers did as Israel told them to do. They took Benjamin and the presents and the extra money to Joseph. When Joseph saw Benjamin with his brothers, he ordered the “steward of the house” to take them to his home and make a feast.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph may have suspected that his brothers would have killed Benjamin, so he needed to see him alive.
• Joseph started off as a steward of Potiphar’s house and now he had a steward waiting on him.
• Joseph’s brothers felt guilty, but little did they know, their guilt was erased.

 

Thinking about the mistakes they made over the years led them to a conclusion that they were about to be sentenced. It wasn’t just about the money, rather it was their guilty lives. Up to this point, they tried to kill Joseph, then sold him into slavery and covered up what they had done. Then when Simeon was put in prison, they told Israel a half-truth.

 

Now the brothers were being invited to a feast and they could not see this as a blessing. They thought the worst by saying they would be taken as slaves, possibly like they did to Joseph. They had no idea their guilt had been erased.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the reaction of Joseph’s brothers when they were invited to a feast?
• Have you ever felt guilty and had your mind made up that you are about to be punished?
• Do you realize that JESUS was tempted in every way you have so HE is sympathetic to the way you feel and loves you dearly?

Do The Right Thing

Do The Right Thing

Hebrews 13: ¹⁸ Keep on praying for us. We are sure we have a clear conscience, because we want to do the right thing at all times. ¹⁹ And I beg you even more earnestly to pray that God will send me back to you soon.

 

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Having said the lie, now I had to live with it. Whenever I saw the person, my conscience felt guilty. “Oh great! Now I’ve lied and I have guilt?” How can this be fixed? A thought popped in my head. “Lie again to fix the last lie.”

 

• I was headed down the wrong path.
• I was trying to fix my lies with more lies.
• I was starting to get good at lying versus simply having a clear conscience.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, asked for prayer because he knew they could be tempted to do the wrong thing which would lead to a guilty conscience. He must have been going through something difficult because he asked for prayer twice.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gives me rest when I have a clear conscience.
• GOD lets me sleep when I do not lie to HIM or myself.
• GOD provides peace when I desire to do the right thing.

 

Doing what is right can sometimes be hard. I mean, when I get insecure about what I did or am about to do, I may not want to experience any consequences, so I lie or stretch the truth. The problem with that approach, is I still face consequences and lost sleep in the process.

 

Peace and rest are elusive when I do not do the right thing. I’d rather follow GOD and enjoy peace than to live with hidden secrets and mounting sins. I gladly do the right thing for GOD and could use your prayers to keep going, HIS way.

 

Challenge

• What is “the right thing” the writer speaks about?
• Have you ever done the wrong thing and tried to cover it up?
• Have you gotten so good at covering things up that you now believe in your own lie?
• Will you get some relief from your guilty conscience and confess to GOD that you do not know how to go forward, so HE can step in and guide you to HIS path today?

Purified Conscience

Purified Conscience

Hebrews 9: ¹¹ But Christ has already come as the High Priest of the good things that are already here. The tent in which he serves is greater and more perfect; it is not a tent made by human hands, that is, it is not a part of this created world. ¹² When Christ went through the tent and entered once and for all into the Most Holy Place, he did not take the blood of goats and bulls to offer as a sacrifice; rather, he took his own blood and obtained eternal salvation for us. ¹³ The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a burnt calf are sprinkled on the people who are ritually unclean, and this purifies them by taking away their ritual impurity. ¹⁴ Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ! Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the living God.

 

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Wanting to serve the LORD was met with “Look at all the sinning you have been doing.” This battle was in my head and in my heart. I was trying to return to the LORD, but I felt my sins were too great.

 

• I did not feel “good” enough to serve the LORD.
• I did not feel “worthy” to serve the LORD in any way.
• I did not feel “secure” enough to know I am a sinner who is saved, therefore I let “my” sin get in the way.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives everyone some great news. “CHRIST has already come as the High Priest of the good things that are already here.” He then goes on to explain how JESUS was the perfect sacrifice, unlike “useless rituals” that would temporarily cleanse until the person sinned again.

 

My Observations:

• The Good News about JESUS has to remain “Good News” without the need for trying so hard.
• JESUS died for my sins and that makes my relationship with HIM permanent.
• By adding “useless rituals” onto JESUS’ death burial and resurrection, I am enslaving myself rather than being freed.

 

Feeling “not good enough” to serve the LORD is a major problem. I mean, believing that JESUS forgave me of all my sins should be enough, but sometimes I think there should be more. Perhaps I did something to make GOD mad or perhaps I said or did something wrong are the false thoughts that run through my mind. BUT GOD knows about this too.

 

HE took into account the fact that I would doubt HIS power to save me ultimately. HE knew I would try to jump in and start doing stuff to “prove” my worthiness to HIM. JESUS died for my doubt and for my trying to take control from HIM. HIS resurrection clears my conscience, knowing I am a sinner who serves the living GOD. I am glad JESUS took care of it “all!”

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the words “useless rituals?”
• Have you ever felt not good enough to serve GOD or to ask HIM for something?
• Will you consider that you are being lied to and that JESUS was raised from the dead and that is all you and I need for a perfect relationship that is full of power and authority because JESUS has it today?

Conscience Choice

Conscience Choice

1 Timothy 1: ¹⁸ Timothy, my child, I entrust to you this command, which is in accordance with the words of prophecy spoken in the past about you. Use those words as weapons in order to fight well, ¹⁹ and keep your faith and a clear conscience. Some people have not listened to their conscience and have made a ruin of their faith. ²⁰ Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have punished by handing them over to the power of Satan; this will teach them to stop their blasphemy.

 

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Tired of being a “goody-goody”, I dabbled in some things I was taught to avoid. When I tried them out, nothing happened. I thought a bolt of lightning would hit me in the head, but I was able to “get away” with what I was doing. Though something inside me said “you shouldn’t be doing this” I ignored the words of heed. Soon I found my life in a mess.

 

• I was on a path to destruction because I would not listen to my conscience.
• I got practice at not listening to my conscience and became good at doing things that were not good for me.
• My heart began to turn to stone as I did what I wanted to do.

 

Paul gave a pep talk to Timothy, who may have been experiencing worry over not being listened to as he preached about JESUS. Paul provides Timothy with a balanced approach which included a Godly prophecy, faith and a clear conscience. He taught Timothy to stand firm without harming people.

 

My Observations

• GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT lives inside me to guide me to a better place.
• I can choose to listen to the HOLY SPIRIT or ignore HIM.
• I always, always do well when I listen to the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Listening to GOD means surrender to my plans. I mean, when I want to do something that is contrary to GOD, I have a choice to listen to my conscience or not. Unfortunately, many times I have chosen to not listen and I found myself with bigger problems. BUT GOD understood.

 

HE corrected me, picked me up from the ashes and gave me a better path. HE provided for me a path to be able to stand firm against things that cause bigger problems. HE fights my spiritual battles and always wins. I am glad HE cares enough to speak to me and you.

 

Challenge

• What weapons do you think the writer is speaking of?
• Have you ever been doubted because of your belief in JESUS?
• Will you stand firm in your belief in JESUS and allow GOD to guide your thoughts so HE will fight your battles today?

Clear Conscience

 Clear Conscience

Romans 13: Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. ² Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. ³ For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, ⁴ because they are God's servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God's servants and carry out God's punishment on those who do evil. ⁵ For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God's punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

 

⁶ That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. ⁷ Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all.

 

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Being stopped because of a burned out headlight seemed unfair to me, but it was the law. I explained that I was unaware and demonstrated it by turning on the high-beam lights. The burnt out one came on and the other went off. “Okay, you can go” they all said. There were four police.

 

• There have been times when I questioned the law enforcers.
• There have been times when I wondered if I was being singled out.
• There have been times when I felt relieved I was doing what I was supposed to be doing.

 

Paul speak about following laws of people who may not believe in JESUS as their ruler. He knows that no kingdom, good or bad, could be put in place without GOD’s authority. Paul also spoke about paying taxes to show respect. He knew there was something greater at stake.

 

• GOD wants me to know the ultimate goal is to spread who JESUS is.
• GOD knows I need freedom to present the gospel of JESUS.
• GOD reminds me that I am not of this world so even if scoundrels are flexing momentary authority, HIS authority should be my focus.

 

During these days of racial tension over the misuse of authority, I find the timing of this scripture to be amazing. Also, it is tax day in the country I live in so I find that equally amazing. But what am I to learn? Should I just roll over and let abusers continue with injustice on everything Paul mentions? No, but with a different focus.

 

GOD wants me to make HIM my focus. HE is in control of the abusers and HE protects me. Injustice needs to be called out, as long as the end goal is to speak about JESUS. Meanwhile, I will yield to the temporary authority humans have and show everyone the respect JESUS showed me.

 

• Are you mad at those in authority?
• Do you feel you should not yield to their authority because you do not like them?
• Will you see beyond temporary authority and let GOD provide the vengeance HE promised to the abusers while enabling you to continue to speak about JESUS?

Feeling Better Afterwards

 

Feeling Better Afterwards

Romans 6: ¹⁵ What, then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under God's grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Surely you know that when you surrender yourselves as slaves to obey someone, you are in fact the slaves of the master you obey—either of sin, which results in death, or of obedience, which results in being put right with God.

 

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“Ugh! It’s raining outside” I groused to myself. I had a long day and I felt a bit tired. But it was time to go exercise. This meant leaving comfortable surroundings to do something hard. I quickly put aside the complaint and went to the gym. I felt better for going and it stopped raining when I got out.

 

• Many times I felt better by doing what I was supposed to do.
• Many times I felt better by sticking to the plan.
• Many times I felt better by avoiding the negative words that would have stopped me from doing what I was supposed to do.

 

Paul asks a rhetorical question. “Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under GOD’s grace?” He then answers “By no means!” He then shows a decision that has to be made. Either obey sin leading to death or obey GOD, leading to life.

 

• GOD wants me to obey HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to guide my actions.
• GOD wants me to listen to HIM, even when HE says “No” or “wait.”

 

When I sin I feel good for a moment, but feel worse afterwards. I mean, the guilt of the sin surfaces and I when look for relief from the guilt, it is nowhere to be found. BUT GOD provides another way.

 

When I struggle through and stop listening to the sin that knocks on my door daily, or hourly, I feel better. Then, when something goes “wrong” in my life, my conscience is clear and I can see GOD grace in the storm “with me” rather than wondering if it is HIM punishing me. I am glad GOD gets excited when I obey HIM.

 

• Is GOD trying to tell you something, but you are not being obedient?
• Is your hidden sin causing problems all around you, yet you are too scared or proud to confess?
• Will you stop choosing sin as your comfortable place and be uncomfortable with a clear conscience by following what GOD wants you to do today?

Now We Know

 

Now We Know

Romans 3: ¹⁹ Now we know that everything in the Law applies to those who live under the Law, in order to stop all human excuses and bring the whole world under God's judgment. ²⁰ For no one is put right in God's sight by doing what the Law requires; what the Law does is to make us know that we have sinned.

 

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Sitting in court waiting to plea my case, I heard other traffic violator’s statements. “I did not know the speed limit because there were no signs” was the one that interested me. The judge said, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Pay the fine and court costs.” Wow! I was going to use that one. I stepped out of the courtroom and paid the normal fine.

 

• There were times when I knew I was wrong.
• There were times when I did what was wrong anyway.
• There were times when I felt something in my conscience that I was doing something wrong.

 

Paul summarizes the point about the Law of Moses. While it was given to the Jews, it applies to the whole world. The application is not to save the world, but point out that we are sinners.

 

• GOD wants me to know I need HIS salvation.
• GOD wants me to know I am a sinner and need HIS power every day.
• GOD wants me to admit I am wrong and need to be right, but cannot do it myself.

 

Ignorance of the Law is no excuse. All of us have sinned and we are not worthy to judge the one who fell, namely Satan. When he tried to be GOD, he was thrown from heaven. He tempted the first humans in an attempt to block any human from opening his sealed fate. BUT JESUS became that sinless human. I am glad JESUS did not sin and was raised from the dead, just for me.

 

• Are you tired of following so many rules?
• Do you get mad at GOD for pointing out sin?
• Will you change your thinking and be glad that JESUS overcame the Law in order to save you by just believing in HIS loving action for you?

 

 

 

Clear Conscience

Acts 23: Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” ² At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. ³ Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!”

 

⁴ Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!”

 

⁵ Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.

 

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After telling the lie, immediately I asked myself… “What do I have to gain from this lie?” I mean, I had gotten in the habit of lying to cover myself. I was insecure about everything and I felt a lie was easier to live with. I even lied to myself.

 

There were lies I told myself to hide from the truth of my sins.

There were lies I told others to hide the fact that I was an imposter when it came to “being good.”

There were lies I told by withholding my sin and looking at everyone else’s.

 

Paul spoke directly to the church leaders and said his actions were done “in all good conscience.” This meant Paul was as open about his sin as he could be. His motive was purely based on speaking about JESUS being GOD.

 

With this, the high priest had Paul to be punched in the mouth. The high priest did not act like one of GOD’s servants, so Paul acknowledged what he had done based on the scripture.

 

GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can live with a clear conscience.

GOD wants me to understand what true freedom means.

GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom so my conscience can remain clear.

 

Sin throws me off. I mean, when I sin, my conscience feels guilty and I look for GOD’s punishment. When I do that, it means I do not fully understand HIS grace. HE forgave me once and for all when HE said “It is finished.”  

 

Yes, there will be consequences to my sin, but knowing JESUS forgave all my sins clears my conscience. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me, guiding me away from the stronghold of sin. I may not be perfect, but I am taking a step in GOD’s direction each day.

 

What are you hiding?

Are you looking at someone else’s sins and not your own?

Will you admit your sins to others so your conscience can be clear to speak about JESUS today?

 

Turn Down the Sound

Turn Down the Sound

John 8: ⁴³ Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. ⁴⁴ You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. ⁴⁵ But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. ⁴⁶ Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? ⁴⁷ He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”

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With the feeling of guilt, I got into my car. I knew what I had done was wrong and I felt bad about it. I rationalized my sin by saying, “Well, it’s not like I’m murdering someone or doing drugs”. In order to drown out the guilt, I turned up the music. “Ah, that’s better” I said to myself. I wonder how long I can distract myself with music? The next day, my peers congratulated me because they too were doing the same.

• There were times when I did not want to be guilty.
• There were times when I wanted to turn up the noise in order to drown out my guilt.
• There were times when I tried to fill my life with the noise of being busy so I would not have to listen to what I was supposed to.

JESUS tells the church leaders “Your father is the devil, who lies all the time.” Being a strong group, they probably talked to each other, justifying their hatred towards JESUS. Their hearts were too hard to hear GOD, but they could hear each other.

• GOD wants me to be quiet sometimes so I can listen to HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM what HE wants me to do before I make my decisions.
• GOD wants me to give my guilt to HIM by confessing my sin, rather than hiding from HIM and adding noise to my life.

Meeting GOD head on is what HE wants from me. HE wants me to not hide in my guilt, rather give it to HIM to do as HE pleases. The more I ignore GOD, the harder my heart gets. Soon, I would not be able to hear HIM at all. BUT GOD steps in. HE orchestrates circumstances in my life that require me to listen to HIM. I am grateful HE cares for me.

• Are you trying to ignore GOD so you can do what you want to do?
• Do you avoid studying GOD so you won’t have to know your guilt?
• Will you stop looking at other people and look at your own guilt so you can confess to GOD and allow HIM to cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Guilty Decisions

Mark 6: ¹⁴ Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

¹⁵ Others said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets.”

¹⁶ But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. ¹⁸ Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

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“I wonder if I got away with it?” was my question. I cannot remember which thing I did, but I was definitely guilty. When someone came near me and asked any question I wondered if they knew about that thing I had done. “Why are people looking at me?” was my thought.

• When I am guilty I make guilty decisions.
• When I am guilty I think everyone around me is bringing up my infraction.
• When I am guilty I try to ignore my guilt but the guilt gets louder.

Herod was clearly guilty in many ways. He killed a person who told him of his infraction, now that JESUS was on the scene he thought it was his victim coming back to haunt him.

• GOD wants me to tell others about my sin so others can feel comfortable with telling their sins.
• GOD wants me to have peace and knows I will make mistakes.
• GOD wants me to avoid sin, but knows I can come to HIM even when I do.

Herod mistook JESUS’s arrival. He was so self-centered in his sinful lifestyle that he missed the possibility of grace, same with me. I was trying to hide sins instead of making them known so others could forgive them or even learn from them.

GOD doesn’t want me to have guilty decisions because they lead to more and more shame. HE wants me have peace that only comes form HIM.

• Are you guilty?
• Have you been hiding your sin for a long time?
• Can you be brave enough to confess your sin instead of trying to make others feel guilty?
• Will you accept GOD’s grace today?

Asking for Forgiveness

2 Chronicles 6: ²¹ Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

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Laughing at the escapades of a friend, the teacher came in and saw what he was doing and immediately grabbed his arm to get his attention (yeah I know, this is back in the day). She said he would have to stay after school fifteen minutes. The laughter stopped but a giggle still remained on my face.

She then turned to me and asked “what’s so funny?” Then the words of devastation came from her mouth “You stay too! And when the time is up I want you to apologize.” Parents knew how long it would take us to get home and if we weren’t there we were questioned. And besides, why do I have to apologize? “I didn’t do anything wrong” I said to myself.

• Many times I don’t see myself as being guilty.
• Many times I rationalize what I’m doing to justify my actions.
• Many times I think I am innocent when I am really guilty.

GOD said “Your righteousness is like filthy rags” and HE is right. My acts of service have sin at the core. Even my prayers come from a sinful perspective because GOD knows I will do the same sin again and again. But there is something amazing that happens with GOD when I communicate to HIM.

• GOD says “All have sinned and have fallen short of MY glory.”
• GOD says “Confess sins. I am faithful and righteous to forgive sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”
• GOD says “I truly love you so put your trust in ME.”

Admitting to GOD that I need HIM instead of being on the path I am on helps me see HIM in a different light. Instead of blaming the ONE I need I have to humbly ask for forgiveness especially when I think I haven’t done anything wrong. The Pharisees never could see they were wrong so they could never confess.

Asking GOD for forgiveness is a privilege. It shows HIM I have nowhere to turn and I trust HIS ways.

• Are you in a quandary?
• Do you feel GOD has forgotten you?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness and to open your eyes to a stronger relationship with HIM today?
• Can you stop being defeated, put your feelings behind you and start trusting in GOD?

Admitting it gives me power

Numbers 5: ⁵ The Lord said to Moses, ⁶ “Speak to the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘Suppose a man or woman does something wrong to someone else. Then that person is not being faithful to the Lord. People like that are guilty.

⁷ “‘They must admit they have committed a sin. They must pay in full for what they did wrong. And they must add a fifth to it. Then they must give all of it to the person they have sinned against.

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One day I decided to stop lying and admit stuff.  It seemed like the weeks that followed were full of opportunities for me to stretch the truth. My boss had asked me if I had completed a certain report. I thought to myself “say I’ve started it but I ran into difficulty” but the real answer was “no” and that’s what I told him but I also explained I was busy with other items. He accepted the truth.

You mean all I had to do was admit I was wrong.  I started doing this all over. Soon I was able to face my fears and sometimes I didn’t get the thing I really desired but my conscience remained clear.

• When I do something wrong to someone I don’t want to admit it.
• When I shirk my responsibility I don’t want to admit it.
• When I mess up I don’t want to admit it.

GOD made an enormous number of laws for humans to follow.  If one law was broken, then I would be guilty of all. HE made it much easier on me by dying for my guilt. I must admit I am in need of HIS death, burial and resurrection in order to have a relationship with HIM.

• GOD wants me to admit I am a person who doesn’t like HIS ways.
• GOD wants me to admit I deserve to be separated from HIS love.
• GOD wants me to admit I need HIM rather than thinking I can clean myself up.
• GOD wants me to admit I am guilty but I can be freed from guilt by belief in HIS actions.

Admitting things to humans is difficult but liberating. The sin holds no power when I admit my wrong. Admitting things to GOD is even more powerful!

• Are you in the wrong and haven’t admitted it?
• Have you committed a sin and in your mind you have spun it around to make it look like the other person?
• Can you admit your guilt to GOD?
• Don’t you want to be free?

If I see it I’m guilty too?

Leviticus 5:1“‘Suppose a person has been called as a witness to something he has seen or learned about. Then if he does not tell what he knows, he has sinned. And he will be held accountable for it.

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“Stand right here” the guy said. As I stood there he proceeded to remove his old raggedy clothes and grab new ones from the rack of the store we were in. He then walked right out the front door. I had watched shoplifting and now I was an accomplice to his misdemeanor.  I didn’t tell anyone!

• GOD says to tell someone about a crime I witness.
• GOD says HE will protect me even though it may seem dangerous to tell.
• GOD says HE is for me, who can be against me.

It truly takes courage to “tell” but it’s worth following what GOD says.

• Did you witness something someone should know about?
• Are you afraid to say something?
• Can you mention the wrong to someone without being a gossip or mean spirited?
• Won’t you mention what you saw today?

Do I have a choice?

Hebrews 8: ¹⁰ This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel

    after that time, declares the Lord.

I will put my laws in their minds

    and write them on their hearts.

I will be their God,

    and they will be my people.

¹¹ No longer will they teach their neighbor,

    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’

because they will all know me,

    from the least of them to the greatest.

¹² For I will forgive their wickedness

    and will remember their sins no more.”

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I had some easy buildings to clean that night. Empty a few trash cans clean the bathrooms and the minimum was done. What could I do with all that “extra” time on my hands? I know… I can go to my apartment, eat and go back to work. “Who would know?” Well, my boss, to name one person.

• I have a choice between loving GOD and leaving GOD.
• I have a choice between following GOD versus following myself.
• I have a choice between GOD’s way versus my way.

I honestly have no excuse for when I choose to sin. I mean I actually know better but for some reason the thing I want to do seems like a good choice at the time. I actually, willingly choose to disobey GOD.

• GOD wrote HIS laws in my conscience so I would have a guide.
• GOD put HIS laws in my heart so I could experience HIS compassion.
• GOD placed HIS laws in my person so I could be forgiven.

I actually believe it is difficult to be sentenced to hell. I mean GOD made the provision for salvation so easy for me by taking on the penalty of sin. If I reject HIS SON as the savior then HE will remember all my sins. I am glad HE made it easy to accept HIS gift of grace.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is your life one struggle after another?
• Do you want a life filled with abundance and adventure?
• Won’t you allow GOD to move your heart so you can have a full life?

Character

Acts 24: ¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

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We were all walking back from a special program that my school had recommended me for.  I was taking High School math in eighth grade. Everyone was proud of me and it made me work harder. On this day we stopped by a local department store to look around. We wandered to the back of the store and lo and behold there were “naked” magazines back there!

I quickly ripped the cover off of one and took a fishing magazine cover and placed it over the pornographic magazine. I wonder how proud my parents and teachers would have been at that moment!

• I can look good in front of humans, but do I look good in front of GOD?
• I can make people believe I am “good” but what does GOD say about my character?
• I can pretend I am walking the straight and narrow but how many times has GOD seen me fall off the path?

Sin and a clear conscience can never go hand in hand. I noticed a very important word Paul uses in this very short scripture namely the word “and.” His conscience was clear before GOD “and” humans. In other words if you read his text messages or burst in on his conversations or read his Facebook page you would see him doing the same thing, living for GOD.

• GOD sees the times I sin “and” HE sees when I live for HIM.
• GOD knows the times I force serving HIM “and” the times when I am sincere.
• GOD looks at my mistakes “and” HE values my character.

There is nothing I can hide from GOD! HE knows every action and every thought. The only way I can bear HIS fruit is to admit my sins to HIM “and” turn away from them little by little. HE wants me to have character in other words HE wants me to act the same when no one is around looking at me.

• Are you acting with character?
• Are you stuck on the cycle of blatantly sinning and asking for forgiveness?
• Are you hiding your sin and waiting on someone to confront you?
• Won’t you claim victory over your problems by admitting your sins to GOD?
• Do you realize that sin has no power over you if you admit and begin to turn away from them?