by Valerie Kelly

Created on: October 22, 2007   Last Updated: October 24, 2008

Our conscience is a God given marker to exercise throughout our lives. Without it we become completely lost - not knowing how to place one foot in front of the other and our lives will be subjected to our own animal desires, without restraint or feeling.

When working properly His voice will pose the question at every crossroad - " Which direction will you take now?"

In today's climate where the self must be promoted at all costs our conscience is pushed ever further back and we appease it with words to each other such as -

" You only have one life- after all we only pass this way once" or " If it doesn't hurt anyone just go for it".

Everyone knows in their heart the difference between right and wrong and sometimes the choices that we have to make are very difficult, especially when they involve other people.

None of this negates the laws that we as human beings are under. Without that law which has claimed the human heart over the centuries we may as well be living in caves again and sacrificing our children to various gods as was the norm.

It's a fatal misconception to think that freedom comes by kicking over the traces and having no self discipline. The opposite happens - it just brings chaos and heartbreak. This is what is happening in the world today, as we decide that we don't need the teaching of Christ any more.

Like a juggernaut out of control we will hurtle towards the abyss if we don't wake up and start listening to our conscience.

Of course, without doubt there are many different levels of conscience in mankind. History has shown that some people have such an acute sense of self judgment they cannot live in a world where wickedness reigns so supreme.

Luminaries such as Simone Weil, Bonhoffer and Vincent Van Gogh all had such finely tuned consciences that they could not tarry too long in this evil old world of ours.
Ordinary mortals like the rest of us however manage to work around our conscience most of the time for we cannot bear to stand in the searing light off truth.

We all take the wrong turning sometimes we wouldn't be human if we didn't, but remember, it is right -not weak to bitterly regret it.

Saint Paul said it all in Romans chapter 2, verse 15 - "Since they show that the requirements of the Law are written in their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts, now accusing and now even defending them."

Finally, our conscience is the Supernatural thread that ties us all together. At best it elevates us to the realms of angels, at worse we descend into the pits of hell.

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