1 Timothy 1:18-19 18 This charge I commit unto thee, my child Timothy, according to the prophecies which led the way to thee, that by them thou mayest war the good warfare; 19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust from them made shipwreck concerning the faith:

The conscience is God’s early warning system for alerting us to potential danger. It monitors our emotions, thoughts, and conduct.

Think of the conscience as a radar system that notifies us of possible trouble, usually without specifically identifying the problem. The principles and standards that we hold determine the sensitivity of our conscience. For example, if we believe lying is wrong, an alarm will sound when we start to shade the truth. But if we think lies are justifiable, it will be silent.

When programmed with the truth of God’s Word, the conscience has great value for a Christian. It detects deviations from the Lord’s standards and sends out a warning. The Holy Spirit uses that signal to get our attention. Then He will reveal what the problem is, give us understanding about it, and show us the right choices to make. He may guide us to friends, relevant Scripture verses, or other resources that can shed light on our situation and point out the implications of a wrong choice.

Failure to heed our inner alarm can bring serious consequences. Adam and Eve knew what God expected (Gen. 2:15-17). When tempted, however, they ignored their conscience and sinned against Him.

When your conscience sounds the alarm, do you stop and take notice or continue on the same course? Repeatedly ignoring your internal warning system can decrease its effectiveness at keeping you out of trouble. Ask God to help you program your inner alarm with His truth and sharpen your ability to hear it.

Bible in One Year: Proverbs 29-31 Chapter 29 1 He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck Shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. 2 When the righteous are increased, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man beareth rule, the people sigh. 3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; But he that keepeth company with harlots wasteth `his' substance. 4 The king by justice establisheth the land; But he that exacteth gifts overthroweth it. 5 A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps. 6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; But the righteous doth sing and rejoice. 7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; The wicked hath not understanding to know `it'. 8 Scoffers set a city in a flame; But wise men turn away wrath. 9 If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest. 10 The bloodthirsty hate him that is perfect; And as for the upright, they seek his life. 11 A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it. 12 If a ruler hearkeneth to falsehood, All his servants are wicked. 13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; Jehovah lighteneth the eyes of them both. 14 The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, His throne shall be established for ever. 15 The rod and reproof give wisdom; But a child left to himself causeth shame to his mother. 16 When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall. 17 Correct thy son, and he will give thee rest; Yea, he will give delight unto thy soul. 18 Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint; But he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 19 A servant will not be corrected by words; For though he understand, he will not give heed. 20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him. 21 He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child Shall have him become a son at the last. 22 An angry man stirreth up strife, And a wrathful man aboundeth in transgression. 23 A man's pride shall bring him low; But he that is of a lowly spirit shall obtain honor. 24 Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul; He heareth the adjuration and uttereth nothing. 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe. 26 Many seek the ruler's favor; But a man's judgment `cometh' from Jehovah. 27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked. Chapter 30 1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; The oracle. The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal: 2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, And have not the understanding of a man; 3 And I have not learned wisdom, Neither have I the knowledge of the Holy One. 4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? Who hath bound the waters in his garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou knowest? 5 Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. 6 Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 7 Two things have I asked of thee; Deny me `them' not before I die: 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: 9 Lest I be full, and deny `thee', and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God. 10 Slander not a servant unto his master, Lest he curse thee, and thou be held guilty. 11 There is a generation that curse their father, And bless not their mother. 12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And `yet' are not washed from their filthiness. 13 There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up. 14 There is a generation whose teeth are `as' swords, and their jaw teeth `as' knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men. 15 The horseleach hath two daughters, `crying', Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, `Yea', four that say not, Enough: 16 Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough. 17 The eye that mocketh at his father, And despiseth to obey his mother, The ravens of the valley shall pick it out, And the young eagles shall eat it. 18 There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not: 19 The way of an eagle in the air; The way of a serpent upon a rock; The way of a ship in the midst of the sea; And the way of a man with a maiden. 20 So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness. 21 For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, `which' it cannot bear: 22 For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food; 23 For an odious woman when she is married; And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress. 24 There are four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise: 25 The ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their food in the summer; 26 The conies are but a feeble folk, Yet make they their houses in the rocks; 27 The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; 28 The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings' palaces. 29 There are three things which are stately in their march, Yea, four which are stately in going: 30 The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, And turneth not away for any; 31 The greyhound; the he-goat also; And the king against whom there is no rising up. 32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, `Lay' thy hand upon thy mouth. 33 For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife. Chapter 31 1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes `to say', Where is strong drink? 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice `due' to any that is afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. 10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. 12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband `also', and he praiseth her, `saying': 29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. 30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; `But' a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.