JANUARY 20, Acts 24:16

“Slow down, Dad,” warned Philip. He pointed to a cluster of bushes. “I see a policeman hiding back there.”

“I don’t need to slow down,,” replied Dad. “I’m not going faster than the speed limit.” “Yeah, but don’t you feel sort of uneasy when you see a policeman?” asked Philip.

Dad shook his head. “No,” he said as he stopped the car at a red light. “I have no reason to have a guilty conscience.”

“My JW teacher says your conscience is kind of like a traffic light that turns red when you’re about to do something wrong, and turns green when you’re doing right,” observed Philip. “Of course, nothing actually turns red or green colours in front of your eyes, but we knew what she meant.”

Dad nodded. “God has given each person a conscience,” he said, “and your conscience works according to your knowledge of right and wrong. That’s why you need to train your conscience while you’re young. Studying the Bible and listening to the advice of older Christians are good ways to do that.”

“Well, I know a kid who does wrong even though he knows better, but he says his conscience doesn’t bother him” stated Philip. “My teacher says kids like that have run through the red light of their conscience so many times that they’re becoming colour blind.”

The traffic light turned green, and Dad drove on. “When you run a red light – either with your car or by ignoring your conscience – you’re apt to have a wreck,” he said. “And wrecking your life is much more serious than wrecking a car.”

Philip nodded. “Yeah,” he agreed, “but you know something, Dad? Sometimes I’m not sure what colour my conscience is showing me.” “When you’re not sure what’s right, observe the yellow caution light and slow down until you know what to do,” advised Dad. “Play it safe. Don’t go ahead unless you’re sure it’s okay.”

Thought: Have you ever had a tug at your heart or an uneasy feeling when you started to do wrong?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray to always have a clear conscience to do what is right in Your sight and according to Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.