A Good Conscience, Part 1

[Chad]

A Good Conscience, Part 1
Charles F. Stanley

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:18-20

A. Introduction: When you're tempted to do the wrong thing, do you listen to your conscience or do you just ignore it and keep going? How can people commit horrible crimes if they have a conscience? What is our conscience, according to the Word of God?

B. God has given every human a conscience.

• Biblical examples:
  • Adam and Eve knew they had sinned (Gen. 3:7-8).
  • David's conscience bothered him after he disrespected Saul (1 Sam. 24:5).
  • Joseph's brothers felt bad after they mistreated him.
• Biblical principles:
  • God has given every human general revelation: everyone knows right from wrong and that He exists (Rom. 1:18-25).
  • If we insist on pushing past the limits our conscience gives us, we will lose our ability to distinguish between right and wrong (Rom. 1:26-28). The Bible calls this condition a seared conscience.
  • God sets limits on human sin because He loves His creation.
  • God has written His law on the hearts of even those who don't know His official law (Rom. 2:14-15).

C. What's the difference between the Holy Spirit and the conscience?

• Every person has a conscience, which is a monitor, distinguishing between right and wrong.
• The Holy Spirit only inhabits believers.
• The Holy Spirit helps us interpret the signals the conscience sends us.
• The Holy Spirit reminds us of Scriptural principles.
• The Holy Spirit draws us away from things that don't fit who we are as believers.

The clear-conscience test: When you lay down at night, ask God to show you what He sees in your life. If He doesn't bring any sin to mind, you have a clear conscience.

D. How is the conscience programmed?

• By parents
• By the world around us—such as television and other media
• Through church
• By the Word of God

E. Closing: How does ignoring your conscience affect you?

• It will hinder your prayers.
• It will keep you from receiving God's best for your life, which includes your salvation.

Copyright 2011 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only.

 

[Gael]

Good stuff...Charles Stanley is one of my favorite teachers.