Every day we make lots of choices. God made us free, so we can choose. This gift is called free will, and it means we are responsible for what we choose.
God also gave each of us a conscience. It is like a quiet voice deep inside that helps us know right from wrong. It tells us: do good and avoid evil.
A conscience works like a compass that points toward God. But it needs to be trained, just like learning to read or to ride a bike. We form our conscience by learning God's Word, listening to the Church's teaching, taking good advice from parents and teachers, and praying.
When you have a choice to make, use the conscience compass:
- Stop. Take a breath before you act.
- Think. What would Jesus do? What do the commandments say?
- Ask. Pray, and ask a grown-up you trust if you are not sure.
- Choose. Pick the loving thing to do.
Leo once found his friend's toy car on the playground. He wanted to keep it, but his conscience nudged him. He stopped, thought, and gave it back. Afterward, Leo felt peaceful inside. That peace is a sign of a good choice.