Daily Devotional: Conscience
- David A. Case
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
Live by what is right—not by what feels right.
Whatever has my attention has my heart.
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
—Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25
Most of us trust our instincts far more than we should. We think, “If it feels right, it must be right.” We rely on what we call our conscience, believing it will lead us in the right direction. But the truth is, our instincts and our conscience have been shaped by our spiritual past—by wounds, fears, traumas, and patterns that go back further than we even remember.
Scripture doesn't flatter our inner sense of direction. It warns us—twice! —that what seems right to us can lead straight to destruction. The repetition in Proverbs is no accident. God wants us to stop trusting what comes naturally and start listening to something (and Someone) far more trustworthy.
Think about it. A child born into anxiety or chaos will grow up feeling “normal” in that emotional climate. When something calm or peaceful comes, it feels foreign—sometimes even wrong. That same child may grow into an adult who seeks out dysfunction because it's what feels familiar. “Feels right” becomes a trap.
We see this in relationships, jobs, and habits. A young woman raised around abusive behavior feels off-balance when someone treats her with kindness and respect. She might say, “I don’t know why, but I just wasn’t feeling it.” But what’s really happening is her internal compass is broken. What feels wrong might actually be right, and what feels comforting might be a replay of her spiritual damage.
God warns us about this because He loves us. He knows we’ve been shaped by things we can’t see. And He knows that unless we anchor our sense of right and wrong in His Word and His Spirit, we’ll keep making decisions based on broken maps.
Jeremiah puts it plainly: “The heart is deceitful above all things.” Not just a little off—the most deceitful thing we deal with. Who is it deceiving? Us. We lie to ourselves without even knowing it. We rationalize. We justify. And we end up confused, wondering how we got off track.
But God sees clearly. He searches the heart. He knows the secret motives we can’t even name. And He doesn’t just diagnose us—He invites us into something better: a Spirit-led life. Not a life led by fear or self-effort, but one where His voice gently cuts through the noise and leads us into truth.
Reflection Question
Where have I been trusting my instincts instead of seeking God’s voice and truth?
Prayer
Lord, I admit I’ve often trusted in my own thoughts and feelings more than I’ve trusted You. Forgive me. I see now that my instincts can be rooted in fear, pride, or past pain—not in Your truth. I want to live by what is right, not just what feels right. Teach me to listen to Your Spirit. Help me test everything against Your Word. And when I’m confused, surround me with people who hear from You clearly. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Write down one area of your life where you’ve been making choices based on instinct or emotion. Find one verse of Scripture that speaks clearly to that area. Ask a trusted believer to help you apply that truth—not just emotionally, but practically.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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