Friday, June 26 The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he has offered a sacred service to God.​—John 16:2.

[Poly Ester]

Friday, June 26

The hour is coming when everyone who kills you will think he has offered a sacred service to God.—John 16:2.

 

That warning was true of those who murdered the disciple Stephen, and it has been true of others like them. (Acts 6:8, 12; 7:54-60) How ironic that in committing such evil crimes as murder, religious fanatics violate the very laws of the One whom they claim to worship! (Ex. 20:13) Clearly, their consciences are treacherous guides! How can we prevent our conscience from becoming ineffective? The laws and principles contained in God’s Word are “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.” (2 Tim. 3:16) Therefore, by diligently studying the Bible, meditating on what it says, and applying it in our lives, we can train our conscience to be more sensitive to God’s thinking, and it can thus serve as a reliable guide. w18.06 16-17 ¶3-4

[Chris7]

Many persecutors professed to serve the same God Jesus served, but what were they influenced by?

False religious beliefs and traditions. Yes, they had “a zeal for God; but not according to accurate knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) One such opposer was Saul of Tarsus, who later became the Christian apostle Paul.

How can we prevent our conscience from becoming ineffective?
Keep up with the Days Text. 
God’s Word is “beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.”