Jiminy Cricket

I was in a restaurant this past weekend with my beautiful wife, O yeah, and I over heard one of the most heart wrenching comments I have heard in a long time. This statement came from a man sitting behind us with his family. I did not hear the context of this statement but for whatever reason it really stuck with me. He said, "Remember, guilt is only an emotion. It serves no purpose." I want you to reread that and think about that. As I began to think about that a lot of thoughts came to my mind. One of them was Jiminy Cricket and his famous saying, "Let your conscience be your guide!" What has happen to the Jiminy Crickets of the world? 

I do believe in the word guilt. It is more than just a word or some emotion and yes it does serve a purpose. It reminds us that what we did was wrong. There is no avoiding guilt. It is our conscience letting us know that we did wrong and we are accountable for what we did. 

The question is how can we get rid of the guilt? Better yet where does guilt start? I believe it starts with temptation. The crossroad where we decide to continue to do good or allow ourselves to choose something that is not good but yet seems good. Jiminy defined temptation in the movie as "the wrong things that seem right at the time." Jiminy's suggestion to Pinocchio when he faced temptation was "to give a little whistle", and then his conscious would be able to guide him. 

We are all facing temptation every day. What are you doing with it? I think it is time we give a little whistle, we give a little prayer. We need to allow God to be able to direct and guide our lives in a world that is full of decisions that may or may not bring good things into our lives. 

But what about that other question? What if I have done wrong and I have this guilt weighing my life down? We all know that Pinocchio ran away and made some bad decisions and we all can say that we have fallen into temptation and the guilt with it. Well there is good news for you and for me. On the cross when Jesus died for us he not only took away our sin but he also took away the guilt that came with it. The enemy loves guilt in our life because he knows that it brings us down. He loves to point out our past mistakes and failures and live in them. He loves to tell us we are not good enough and we will never be good enough. Jesus says I have forgiven you once and for all and now you can live in freedom that I have given you. A life that is free from the burden, weight, and guilt of sin.

So when is the last time you gave a little whistle? It is time that we start living our lives in way that brings God honor and glory. A life that is full of freedom instead of guilt and regret. It can only happen with the help and guidance of God. Turn to him and allow him to guide you. Today allow "your conscious be your guide!"