I’ve never bought a new car but I’ve bought a newer car than I previously owned. And whether or not it was a brand new vehicle that you may have purchased, I can bet ten to one, that you felt something like this: You wanted to keep your new purchase nice and clean. I think that there is something in human nature that when we purchase something new or remodel a room, or something like that, we try to keep that “thing” clean and new! It might be new carpet or a new house, the first few days of living in the “new” we are very careful not to spoil anything about the newness. In 2003 Robin and I remodeled our kitchen, which means a new floor. I bought a darker tile (because the darker doesn’t show the dirt) yet when I installed it, and for a while afterwards, I made sure that nothing would tarnish its pristine beauty! I would make sure that if I moved anything heavy through the kitchen, I made doubly sure that it wouldn’t get scratched. Now, after five years of wear, I’m thinking of replacing a few of those tiles! O well, nothing last forever. But as you know, I’m not here to just talk about new cars and remodeled rooms. I’m wondering what it would be like if we applied that same desire to keep our new “things” nice and clean to our consciences. Even before I was a Christian I knew when I was doing wrong. But there was always an excuse or justification that would silence that nagging little voice. After awhile I was not bothered by it at all. As Paul put it, my conscience was being seared. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” 1Tim.4:1,2 Someone once said that the conscience is to the soul like the windows are to our house. If I keep the windows clear, then, not only will I be able to see outside better, but more light will come into the house. But suppose my windows are tinted or stained a certain color. If my windows are stained red, then everything outside will be red. If they are stained blue, then everything outside will be blue. If I have shutters and they are closed tightly then I will not be able to see anything outside. In the same way, neither will any light come in. When one’s conscience is clear, not only will they be able to see clearly the things in this world, but God will also be able to shed more Light into their soul. We should desire to keep our consciences clear so that God will be able to speak to us more clearly. I am not saying that we should be led by our conscience; we should be led by the Spirit, yet, we should not think that we will be led by the Spirit if our consciences are seared to the point of silence. There is a remedy for a conscience troubled by sin. “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death.” Heb.9:14 When one comes to Jesus Christ, not only does He forgive his sins, but now He begins to cleanse his conscience so that he can become totally renewed! What a blessed Savior. Remember Brethren, be not conformed to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!