One day when I was very young, I ventured off by myself to the dime store. I looked over all the things that took my eye, and with no money to buy, I looked at an eraser that I wanted to have. No one was looking, and I reached out, took the eraser, and put it into my pocket.
Off I went to school. There I took out the eraser and placed it on my desk. I thought about using it, but something inside me said "No." I struggled all afternoon until school was over. Back I went to the dime store, eraser in my hot, clammy, little hand. I reached the place where I had taken it, looked around, and, when I thought no one was looking, I put it back.
Yes, I got away with it, but my conscience bothered me to no end. Because I had stolen it, putting it back didn't make it any better. The original sin was still there.
What possessed me to do such a thing? I knew better, and I knew that, if I were caught, I would have been punished. Still I did it, and, to this very day, I have never forgotten. Growing with God, and maturing in Him, I discovered that all we desire is not of God, but some of our desires result from the temptation of evil.
We can thank God for giving us a conscience, a set of rules by which to live, and, by His grace, forgiveness for what we have done.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.- 1 John 1:9.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age. - Titus 2:11-12 .
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