Crandell
If you’ve ever done something and then immediately regretted it, you wouldn’t be alone. In I Samuel 24:4-5, we read about David’s action and reaction toward King Saul “Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.” Maybe being conscience stricken, second-guessing a decision, or being instantly convicted isn’t so bad.
The big question in this story becomes, “Why was David conscience-stricken?” The answer to the question is found in the next verses, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord” I Samuel 24:6. David’s “value system” had been compromised. Although David didn’t respect Saul’s character or abusive behavior towards him, he did respect Saul’s position of being Israel’s reigning king. After David cut off Saul’s robe, he was immediately conscience-stricken because it went against God’s appointed man…king Saul.
David’s respect for whom God had put in place is remarkable. This underscores why he felt bad diminishing Saul by cutting off part of the king’s robe. To David, disrespecting Saul was equated with disrespecting God. It seemed like David didn’t want to commit this act of compromise, but it was necessary to later convey a message of peace to Saul. We see David’s insistence on protecting Saul from harm in the following verse, “with these words David sharpy rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul” I Samuel 24:7.
This passage illustrates a powerful point about people in authority whose character or integrity we may not respect. We can still respect their office or position without respecting their character or leadership. Our values of loving our enemies, doing good to those who hate us, and praying for those who mistreat us is the “command & control” center of our decision making. Whenever we return evil with evil, an eye for an eye, or rudeness for rudeness, we may find ourselves conscience-stricken. Why? Because our actions contradict our convictions and biblical value system. Being conscience-stricken may actually be a sign that we are sensitive to the Spirit’s work in our lives.
It can also illustrate that we are willing to own our shortcomings and misgivings. I’ve heard it said that living a holy life isn’t necessarily measured by perfect living, but how quick we are to acknowledge our imperfections and our willingness to confess our human frailty. Some would call that self-awareness or maybe…being conscience-stricken. God can use different sources to keep our consciences in check. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the aim of our charge is to have a good conscience I Timothy 1:5. Being conscience-stricken from time to time might be God’s way of helping us live with the confidence of a clear conscience, which we all want and need.
Donny Crandell is Lead Pastor at Crossroads Nazarene Church
