Dictionary definition – Conscience is the inner sense of right and wrong that judges our own actions and feelings. It is a moral compass that guides ethical decisions, often leading to feelings of guilt when we do something we believe is wrong, or a sense of peace when we act in accordance with our values.
Biblical definition – Conscience is a God-given inner witness that judges our actions, either accusing us of wrongdoing or excusing us. It is a human capacity for moral judgment that must be guided by God and Scripture to be trustworthy, as it can be “defiled” or “seared” by sin if not properly trained. The goal is to cultivate a “conscience without offense” toward God and others.
I am reading the New Testament right now, and I have noticed that Paul references “conscience” quite a bit in his letters to others. I will share a few of his comments with you in today’s message.
Romans 2:15 – in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.
Your conscience is that instinctive sense of right and wrong that produces guilt when violated. In addition to an innate awareness of God’s law, we all have a warning system that activates when we choose to ignore or disobey the law. Paul urges believers here not to violate their own consciences or cause others to do so, because repeatedly ignoring the conscience’s warnings desensitizes it and eventually silences it.
2 Corinthians 1:12 – For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
Our conscience is designed to be our soul’s warning system, which allows each of us to contemplate their motives and actions and to make moral evaluations of what is right and wrong. In order to work as God designed it, the conscience must be informed to the highest moral and spiritual level and best standard, which means submitting it to the Holy Spirit through God’s Word. Paul’s fully enlightened conscience exonerated him completely. But ultimately, only God can accurately judge a man’s motives.
We need to give our maximum effort to impart God’s Word completely, accurately, and clearly to all with whom we speak and can influence.
1 Timothy 1:5 – But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.
Note Paul’s simple message to Timothy here on the goal of sharing God’s Word with others, focusing on love, conscience, and faith.
God has given us each a clear marker to use in distinguishing right from wrong in our lives. Is your conscience still alive, alert, and performing as God intended it to be used? Or has your conscience been silenced? It is never too late to change your heart, if needed, and follow Paul’s suggestion to Timothy above.