“The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.” Proverbs 20:27 NLT
When God breathed (naphach) His own breath upon us, and we became a living soul (nephesh). He also endued us with the gift of light. This light resides in every human soul. Some may see it as a conscience, but it’s much more than that. Proverbs describes this miracle in strange ways.
This light is found in the chambers of our “beten” belly, our bosom. “The breath of man is the lamp of Yahweh (God’s personal name), searching all the chambers of his being.”
Back when I was a little guy, Disney made an animated film in 1940 (I saw it in the 60’s), based on the 1883 children’s fantasy novel by Italian author Carlo Collodi. It is about the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio. Carlo even had a “Talking Cricket,” which became the character for Disney’s Pinocchio conscience figure “Jiminy Cricket.” That’s all I knew about a conscience! It’s funny that we move uncomfortable topics into fantasy stories or children’s cartoons to handle processing such a heavy emotion.
How does science try to explain our conscience? Oh, it’s not easy, that’s for sure. Science says it’s a cognitive process that elicits emotion and rational associations based on an individual’s moral philosophy or value system. Did you catch that; “Based on individual’s…?” That’s just as ridiculously squishy as calling truth an individual’s choice! Humans will do anything to try to escape the fact that God created us and therefore we will ultimately answer to Him for our actions.
This simple, yet profound proverb not only makes sense, it makes it inescapably clear – God’s light is embedded in our physical existence! And that light searches and exposes ALL the motives of our heart.
Prayer
Dad,
I wouldn’t say that I completely fried my conscience as a young man, but I know this. When I said “yes” to you at 15 1/2, and gave you complete control over my life, you immediately started working on rebuilding my conscience. I remember not being able to get away with anything. Not a lie, and definitely not swiping something! The infilling of Your Holy Spirit was quick to catch me, correct me and help me in do-overs. I have experienced your light that penetrates my heart and reveals my true motives. I have also watched my friends sear their conscience and risk compromising their sense of right and wrong. Your Word is absolutely a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path and I am forever grateful to You.