Sin whispers to the wicked,
deep within their hearts.
They have no fear of God
to restrain them.
Psalm 36:1
Isn't that a powerful description of temptation?
Our desires whisper. Our lusts murmur. Our selfishness, pride, and fears hiss like a snake. And Satan buffets too. He breathes subtle suggestions into our vulnerable ears.
Here’s the question we could ask: Have you ever given in?
But here’s a better question: Has there ever been another whisper, a contrary suggestion, that has risen up within you?!
Some call this their conscience.
Cartoonists depict it as an angel on one shoulder (whispering encouraging suggestions in one ear) ... and a silly little demon on the other (whispering alternative advice into the left ear).
This Psalm suggests that the true godly whisper has its roots in the "the fear of the Lord." Attention to the still small voice is rooted in faith. And those with true faith know this godly "voice" as the Holy Spirit.
The Apostles put it like this: "But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets" (1 Cor 2:10).
And our own consciences [will] either accuse us or tell us that we are doing “what is right."
In Christ's Love,
a guy whose conscience has fortunately
both encouraged and accused me,
and I'm blessed because of both
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