Pinocchio’s Daring Journey: Let Your Conscience be Your Guide

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Several rides at Disneyland have a recurring character throughout (for example, the raven in the Haunted Mansion, Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, and of course, the title characters in each of the Fantasyland dark rides). One of these rides has a second character that is featured in multiple scenes.

 

Jiminy Cricket appears throughout Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, acting—as he does in the movie—as Pinocchio’s conscience. The little wooden boy is encouraged early on to let his conscience be his guide. If he had heeded that advice, he would have avoided nearly all of the problems he had.

 

During the ride, Jiminy Cricket gives Pinocchio at least four specific types of guidance. He tries to direct him…

  1. Out of danger
  2. Away from temptation
  3. Towards restoration
  4. Home

 

Clearly, Pinocchio would have been better off to let his conscience be our guide. Just as clearly, this is one of the main lessons we as viewers/riders are supposed to learn from this story. We should always let our hearts/that little voice inside/whatever you want to call it be our guide. And that’s great advice.

 

Isn’t it?

 

Close, but maybe not the best advice. Why?

 

The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,
a puzzle that no one can figure out.” (Jeremiah 17:9, MSG)

“There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12)

 

And Paul says,

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

 

 

Maybe, just maybe, our own conscience isn’t the best source of guidance. But we are not without help and guidance.

 

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16-17)

“…because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” (Romans 8:14-16)

 

Doesn’t the Holy Spirit do all the same things Jiminy Cricket did for Pinocchio, and more? If we’ll listen, He leads us…

  1. Out of danger
  2. Away from sin/temptation
  3. Towards restoration
  4. Home

 

Just as Jiminy did, the Holy Spirit won’t force you. He won’t shout. You have to listen. But if you do, He’ll guide you in the paths of righteousness. The Holy Spirit and your conscience aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, but when there’s a conflict between them, be sure the Spirit wins.

 

Question: How do you know when you’re listening to your own conscience vs. when you’re listening to the Holy Spirit? It can be a challenge sometimes, so talk about it in the comments below, or on our Facebook page.

 

 



Randy CraneRandy Crane is passionate about helping Christians, especially those with a Disney affinity, to discover and connect to their GOD-GIVEN PURPOSE AND VALUE, to build their lives to achieve TRUE SUCCESS AND MEANING, and to POSITIVELY IMPACT their world. For more than two decades, Randy has been leading individuals and teams into a greater joy and child-like appreciation of the world around them, equipping them to reach beyond what they have previously experienced and build a God-given identity and purpose. Ready to experience that for yourself? Tell us where to send SIX free videos all created to help answer the 3 questions you need to experience PEACE, FREEDOM, and PURPOSE!

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