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 In the previous blogs we've discussed ways that our personal devotional life impacts our effectiveness in reaching people with the Gospel. Now let's talk about what it means to live with a clear heart before God and people. There are two things that will have immeasurable impact on your effectiveness as a witness for Christ - un-confessed personal sin and strained relationships with other people. Often they go hand in hand.
When I consider the words of the Apostle Paul in Acts 24:16 , "I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man," I'm immediately challenged to think about the verse's implications in my own life. Living with a conscience clear before God and the people in my life? That's quite a standard. But it's not impossible. Remember, Paul's desire was to "strive" to live that way. Perhaps for some of us, today is the day we need to make this our goal as we seek to live a life that matters. And here are some initial steps toward making that goal a reality.
First, take some time to evaluate and reflect on where you stand in your relationships with people. Because I am married, I have chosen most of the questions to be geared for those who are married, but not all. As you think about you relationships, consider the following questions:
(Questions for men)
Am I providing clear and consistent spiritual leadership for my spouse/family/people I lead?
Am I regularly speaking highly of my spouse in private and in public?
Am I practicing good judgment with what I watch on TV and where I peruse on the internet?
Do I have some form of accountability while using the internet?
Does my family have the security of knowing they matter to me more than my career? In what ways am I showing them this truth?
(Questions for women)
Am I supporting my husband's mission and caring for the needs of my family?
Am I consistently sharing decisions with my husband first before carrying them out?
Am I using my tongue to build up my husband in private and in public?
Am I guarding myself emotionally from the opposite sex?
Am I filling my mind and heart with the things of God or the cultural media of the day?
(For all)
Is there anyone I am at odds with that I have not made a conscious effort to seek restitution?
Have I cheated anybody out of anything?
Have I broken any promises?
Have I led anyone to believe something other than the truth?
Are there any acts of unfaithfulness I am keeping from my spouse?
Am I one thing at church and something different in my daily life?
How would my spouse describe to others what I am like to live with?
Am I guarding my communication with the opposite sex in a way that keeps me pure and blameless, including texting, emails, Facebook, body language, and any other forms of communication?
Second, take some time to evaluate and reflect on where you stand in your relationship with God. As you think on this, consider the following questions:
Am I consistently spending time with God in prayer and reading His word?
Are there any sins in my life that I am justifying?
Are there any secret sins holding me captive?
Have there been any clear commands from the Lord that I've neglected to obey?
Am I actively sharing my faith with others?
While these questions are certainly not exhaustive, perhaps they can serve as a starting point toward living with a clear conscience before God and other people. Anything less will keep us from being the true salt and light that our world desperately needs. May God in His mercy and grace lead us to live lives worthy of His name as we seek to reach others who are far from Him. Learn how to share these articles with your friends (video tutorial) |
