How’s Your Conscience?
Do you have a good conscience? For a Christian, one’s conscience may be compared to a window that lets in the light of God’s truth. The Bible speaks about several different types of conscience that may be found in people. In Titus 1.15, unbelievers are said to have a “defiled conscience.” A defile conscience occurs when one persists in disobeying the Word of God. In doing so, the window gets dirtier and dirtier until the light cannot enter. A second conscience mentioned is a “seared conscience” (I Timothy 4.2). This type of conscience occurs when one has resisted doing God’s will to the point that it is no longer sensitive to what is right and wrong. Or what about the “evil conscience”? One so poisoned that it approves things that are bad and accuses when a person does good.
One’s conscience depends on knowledge. A “good conscience” is one that accuses when we think or do wrong and approves when we do right. Did you know that it takes exercise to keep your conscience strong and pure. In Acts 24.16, Paul said in view of the coming resurrection of both the just and the unjust, “So I always take pains to have a clear conscience towards both God and man.” Paul worked at having a conscience that would not offend God or man in anything; so that he would be found blameless at the judgment seat of God. If we do not work to maintain a clear conscience, our conscience tends to weaken. Usually, it results in failing to grow in spiritual knowledge and obedience unto God.
A good conscience is of great benefit to the believer. It fortifies us with courage because we know that we are right with God and man, so we do not need to be afraid. A good conscience gives us peace in our hearts; and when we have peace within, we can face battles without. We can remove the fear of what other people may know about us, say about us, or do to us (Psalm 118.6; Matthew 10.28). Conscience alone is not the test of what is right or wrong. Our conscience is only a safe guide when the Word of God is its teacher.
Paul said he had to work to maintain a good conscience. How do I do that? First, I must deal with sin in my life and confess it before God. I John 1.9 says “If we confess our sins, He [God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We must keep the window clean. Thus, we must spend time in His Word and “let the light in.” We must also maintain a good conscience because a good conscience makes for a strong backbone and a courageous witness. May your conscience be clear so you can freely tell others of Jesus.
