In 1984, an Avianca Airlines jet crashed into the side of a mountain, instantly killing all who were on board. When investigators found the black box, they played the recording of audio just before the crash. In the audio, one can hear the jet airplane’s warning system saying “Pull Up! Pull Up! Pull Up!”. And then suddenly, you hear the voice of the pilot saying “Shut up, Gringo!” and the warning system was manually shut off.
We have a built in warning system as well…it’s called our conscience. However, in today’s world so many people have shut-off their conscience, and they have convinced themselves that what the Bible says is SIN is not really that wrong. And then, they wonder why their life is a wreck.
Paul instructs us in Romans 12;2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Notice especially the tool that transforms us – “the renewal of your mind.” By ignoring the lies and deceitfulness of this world around us and focusing on God and His Word, we can renew our minds. And then, we must OBEY the warning messages that come when we start to head down a path that can destroy us.
An old hymn written by Charles Wesley (1749) sums up the importance of our conscience:
I want a principle within of watchful, godly fear,
a sensibility of sin, a pain to feel it near.
I want the first approach to feel of pride or wrong desire,
to catch the wandering of my will, and quench the kindling fire.
From thee that I no more may stray, no more thy goodness grieve,
grant me the filial awe, I pray, the tender conscience give.
Quick as the apple of an eye, O God, my conscience make;
awake my soul when sin is nigh, and keep it still awake.
Almighty God of truth and love, to me thy power impart;
the mountain from my soul remove, the hardness from my heart.
O may the least omission pain my reawakened soul,
and drive me to that blood again, which makes the wounded whole.