BLIND AMBITION
The dictionary defines “conscience”
as “the internal recognition of right and wrong, with the compulsion to do
right; a moral judgment that opposes the violation of a previously recognized
ethical principle.” But “blind ambition” will disregard conscience, and go for
what it wants, no matter what. The Bible tells us 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).
If we continue to act
against what our conscience tells us, we get burned; repetition makes the “skin”
numb like scar tissue, and we are no longer sensitive to what’s right and wrong.
We’ll do what we want, rather than what God wants.
The end does not justify
the means. God wants us to stay righteous today, not later when we’ve
accomplished what we think we want. Ambition is good, but only under the distinct
leadership of the Lord.
The news is riddled with horror
stories of what many of the actors in Hollywood, singers, and sports figures have compromised to get to
the top. Morals, ethics, and a sense of what’s right and wrong go right out the window because being a great star is what they want more than being
a great person.
People get tempted to compromise
on morals because they think they’ll lose something, like a job promotion, or a
boyfriend or girlfriend, for instance. We are so afraid of losing something that we do things we know are wrong.
But honestly, we don’t
have anything worthwhile to lose, if we endeavor to live with a good conscience
toward God. Hebrews 13:5 says: “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content
with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor
forsake thee.” People
misunderstand the part that says be content with what you have. They think it’s
referring to our present job, our physical possessions, etc. But what God is
talking about is what we really have:
every desire fulfilled by him. Psalm 37:4: “Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall
give thee the desires of thine heart.”
The Apostle Paul gives us
a great goal: “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God
until this day” (Acts 23:1). And when he was accused, in Acts 24:16 he answers:
“Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense
toward God, and toward men.”
No matter the
circumstance, big or small, let’s keep our moral compass on the truths found in
God’s Word, and decide to do the right thing, without compromise. It’s God’s
job to bring us to the perfect things for us always.
Love, Carolyn
Lots of great true-life
stories – THE BIBLE APPLIES TO THE ORDINARY AND EXTRAORDINARY
DAY
No comments:
Post a Comment