Tag Archives: the teachings of Moses

When Your Conscience and Faith Go Hand in Hand

Depending upon your education, how you were raised, and your spiritual upbringing, the concept of conscience and faith will vary. After being introduced to the book Restoring the Foundations through a Sunday School class, my perspective has changed. Due to ungodly beliefs, personal opinions that deviate from the Bible, that are picked up over the course of your life, these flawed mindsets block you from being the person who God wants you to become, Romans 12:1-2.

And the king assigned for them a daily portion of his own rich and dainty food and of the wine which he drank. They were to be so educated and so nourished for three years that at the end of that time they might stand before the king. Among these were of the children of Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar [the king’s attendant], Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego. But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by [eating his portion of] the king’s rich and dainty food or by [drinking] the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might [be allowed] not to defile himself, Daniel 1:5-8.

Based upon the beginning of this book, Daniel was blessed with intellectual and physical features. Meanwhile, Daniel’s parents introduced the teachings of Moses to him at an early age, Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Subsequently, when the Babylonians begin to force customs which are in direct conflict to the Old Testament, Daniel’s conscience and faith go hand in hand as if to sound a spiritual alarm inside his heart.

 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). 17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do, Galatians 5:16-17.

The apostle Paul explains this sensation as an internal war between the Holy Spirit and sinful nature. This human flaw described in Romans 3:9-12 has caused every individual to fall short of God’s glory. Nonetheless, when Christians begins to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, your conscience serves as a flashlight to point you in the right direction. May today’s blog inspire you to hold your ground by uniting faith with your God given conscience to follow the narrow path, Matthew 7:13-14, in a world of darkness.

by Jay Mankus

A Reason to Pay Closer Attention Than Ever Before

There are certain things in life that I’m not very good at or know much about. While reflecting earlier today, these areas of weakness have one thing in common. When something interested me as a child, I payed close to attention to my teachers on this subject matter. Yet, when I was bored by a topic, my thoughts drifted and wandered. Subsequently, as an adult I have huge deficiencies in being a handy man as well as fixing things around my house.

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. 24 Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you. 25 Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you, Proverbs 4:20-25.

Another father devotes an entire book of the Bible to provide advice and directions for his children to follow. King Solomon refers to human hearts as the wellspring of life. If you want to live a long and prosperous life, this information is worth reflecting upon. When you are able to guard your heart from the temptations in this life, you’ll be able to fix your eyes upon Jesus whatever trial comes your way.

Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away, Hebrews 2:1.

In the beginning of a New Testament book, one author builds upon the words of Solomon. The context of the passage above references the teachings of Moses. Also known as the Torah, the author of Hebrews stresses the importance of paying much closer attention to this ancient wisdom. If you want to learn from history by avoiding the same mistakes of the past, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, rely on the Bible as a light for your feet, Psalm 119:105.

by Jay Mankus