The
conscience is often surrounded by mystery. Many have subscribed to the
philosophy of "let your conscience be your guide." Preachers try all
ways and means to avoid this word. But the word “conscience” is a biblical
word. A quick check on e-sword reveals it appears 31 times in 29 verses. The
scriptures talk about:
1.
A good conscience. Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:5, 19; Hebrews 13:18; 1 Peter 3:16,
21
2.
A conscience void of offence. Acts 24:16
3.
A weak conscience. 1 Corinthians 8:12
4.
A pure conscience. 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3
5.
A seared conscience. 1 Timothy 4:2
6.
A defiled conscience. Titus 1:15
7.
A purged conscience. Hebrews 9:14
8.
An evil conscience. Hebrews 10:22
What
is conscience? It is defined as “the part of the mind that makes you aware of
your actions as being either morally right or wrong” (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary).
In
his defense before the Sanhedrin council, Paul said he had “lived in all
good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). When he was
dragging the Christians to prisons, he thought he was doing the right thing
(Acts 26:9). But when he found Christ, he realised his good conscience action
was wrong.
Conscience,
by itself alone, is not a safe guide. Paul was wrong in spite of having a good
conscience. Likewise, the pagan who offered his first born son as a sacrifice
to the gods did so with a good conscience; he believed he was right and his god
approved of it. Acting upon his subjective belief, his conscience approved his
actions. Hence, the conscience can be wrong, depending on the education it has
received.
A
truly good conscience can only be achieved when it is coupled with the word of
God. The testimony of a good conscience is priceless when it is approved by
God. Job, when he was so misunderstood by his friends, says: "Let me be
weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity" (Job
31:6). So too David, "Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in my
integrity" (Psalm 26:1).
There
must be a standard for our conscience to determine right and wrong. In matters
religious and moral that standard is the word of God. In Antioch, Paul rebuked
Peter and Barnabas because “they walked not uprightly according to the truth
of the gospel” (Galatians 2:14).
When
one acts in obedience to the word of God, he has the "answer of a good
conscience toward God" (1 Peter 3:21). In the particular of Peter's
reference, the matter is baptism. Baptism is for the remission of sins and is
commanded of God (Acts 2:38). Therefore, when the non-Christian submits to
scriptural baptism, he has the "answer of a good conscience toward God."
His conscience (properly taught by the word of God) approves of his obedience.
To the converse, when a person refuses to obey God (he refuses to be
scripturally baptized), his conscience condemns him, assuming the conscience
has been correctly educated (Acts 19:1-5).
Joseph
knew it was wrong to sleep with Potiphar’s wife. His pure conscience was
prompted by the knowledge of God: "How can I do this great wickedness,
and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). He knew one day he had to answer
to God for all his actions (2 Corinthians 5:10). He wanted to ensure it was the
answer of a good conscience to God.
The
maintenance of a good conscience is an essential part of personal piety. Said
the apostle, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence toward God and men" (Act 24:16). The
scriptures also exhort us to draw near to God “with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22).
We
know we have a good conscience when it is in agreement with the word of God.
Let the word be our guide and we know our actions will be in harmony with God:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”
(Psalm 119:11).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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