Pastor Rick Warren
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Pastor Rick Warren
The First Step to a Clear Conscience

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

The first step on the path to a clear conscience is to take a personal spiritual assessment.

You need to sit down with God in a quiet space and say, “God, I’m going to do business with you. I’m going to make a list of anything wrong in my life that’s getting between you and me. Help me to see the things I know are wrong and the things I don’t know are wrong.” Ask God to clear your mind and reveal your sins.

You can pray Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life” (NLT). You’re saying, “God, turn your spotlight on my inner self. Find the stuff in me that’s entangled me and that’s holding me back.”

It’s important to take your time. Don’t rush it! Don’t say, “God, I’ve got five minutes for you to reveal every sin I’ve ever done.” Take your time. Write it all down.

Why is it important to write it down? Writing makes it specific. Thoughts disentangle themselves through the lips and the fingertips. You speak it, and you write it. If you haven’t written it down, you haven’t really thought about it.

Let me ask you a very important question. How serious are you about wanting God’s blessing on your life? Enough that you’re willing to be gut-level honest? Are you willing to be honest with God? Are you willing to be honest with yourself? Are you willing to be honest with other people? Or are you just going to live in denial? Denial and God’s blessing do not go hand-in-hand.

If you’re serious, then you’re just a step away from liberation! You are one step away from a feeling of joy and purity that you’ve never experienced. You are so close to freedom from the habits and hurts and hang-ups that are messing up your life.

Don’t procrastinate. Take time today, get alone by yourself, and do a personal spiritual assessment. It will change your life!

Talk It Over
  • What keeps you too busy to take a personal spiritual assessment?

  • Why do you think we are sometimes dishonest with God, even though he knows everything anyway?

  • How does fear keep us from being honest with ourselves about our sin and habits, hurts, and hang-ups? What about pride?

    Are you ready to let God transform your life?
    If you’ve never accepted Jesus as you Lord and Savior, why not do it now? Pray this prayer to let God know you want to follow Jesus:

    “Dear God, I know I’ve sinned, and I don’t deserve your love. But you loved me so much that you sent Jesus to die for me. I believe in him, and I trust that through him, I can have eternal life. Please forgive me for my sins. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I give my life to him. Thank you for loving me, saving me, and giving me a clear conscience and a fresh start. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

    If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

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Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope brings biblical hope and encouragement to people around the world. Through his daily audio and written devotional Bible teaching, Pastor Rick shares the hope of Christ and the biblical truths people need to live a truly purpose driven life.
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