Conscience

Conscience

Introduction
In 1994, professional golfer Davis Love III called a one-stroke penalty on himself because he could not remember whether he had replaced his ball to its exact spot. The extra stroke eliminated him from the tournament and ultimately cost him automatic qualification to the next year’s Masters. When asked if he regretted the decision, he replied, “How would I feel if I won the Masters and wondered the rest of my life if I cheated to get in?” The happiest ending arrived only after he acted with integrity. The only satisfying reward is one gained honestly, for a guilty conscience can spoil any gain. Scripture speaks often about the conscience because God cares about what we know within and how we live before Him.

What Is the Conscience?
The New Testament word translated “conscience” speaks of shared knowledge within the self—an inner awareness formed by instruction and experience. In the Old Testament this function is frequently expressed by the word “heart.” Paul describes the conscience as a faculty that testifies inside a person about right and wrong: “their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them” (Romans 2:13–16). The conscience, then, observes, testifies, and renders a verdict. Because it operates with information, it must be taught what is true if it is to guide us well.

What the Conscience Can Do
David learned that the conscience can strike and condemn when we sin. After numbering Israel without divine authority, “David’s heart condemned him,” and he confessed his folly to the Lord (2 Samuel 24:10). Job shows that a well-taught conscience can rest without reproach when a man clings to righteousness: “My righteousness I hold fast… my heart shall not reproach me” (Job 27:6). The conscience can also be stained. Paul warns that unbelief and moral impurity defile “both mind and conscience” (Titus 1:15). Neglect is dangerous; some reject a good conscience and suffer shipwreck regarding the faith (1 Timothy 1:18–20). A misinformed conscience may even approve evil. Paul once persecuted the church “in all good conscience” (Acts 23:1; Acts 26:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:13). The lesson is plain: conscience must be educated by God’s truth. Since issues of life flow from the heart, we must guard it diligently (Proverbs 4:23). When people delight in unrighteousness, they place themselves under judgment (2 Thessalonians 2:12). If iniquity is cherished in the heart, prayer is hindered (Psalm 66:18).

Determined to Keep a Clear Conscience
A clear conscience is not accidental. Paul told Felix, “I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:14–16). He took pains to keep it clear. Such integrity is tethered to truth. “I tell the truth in Christ… my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 9:1–2). It is also joined to simplicity and godly sincerity in daily conduct (2 Corinthians 1:12). Scripture ties a good conscience to obedient faith. Baptism is “the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). God grants a clear conscience as we walk in the light He has revealed and practice what He commands.

Developing a Good Conscience
Because the conscience works with what it has learned, it must be trained by the Word of God. The mature learn to “discern both good and evil” through constant practice in the Scriptures (Hebrews 5:13–14). Where knowledge is thin, the conscience is weak. In Corinth, some believers, lacking instruction, were troubled by meat associated with idols; their “conscience, being weak, is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:4–13). Love therefore acts gently toward the weak while also teaching them so that their conscience grows strong. This training belongs in our homes and congregations. We read, meditate, pray, and apply the Word until God’s perspective on right and wrong becomes our own. Then, when temptation approaches, the conscience—formed by truth—sounds a faithful alarm and steers us back to the narrow way.

Conclusion
A tender, truthful conscience is a gift from God and a responsibility for every disciple. When it accuses, we confess and turn. When it commends, we continue in the good path. The Lord desires a people whose hearts agree with His Word and whose ways display integrity before God and men. May He grant us consciences made clear by the blood of Christ and kept clear by obedient lives.

Conscience Sermon Outline:

Title: Conscience
Text: Romans 2:13–16
Theme: God designed the conscience to witness to truth inside the heart; it must be taught, guarded, and exercised by Scripture so that it accuses when we sin and assures when we obey.

Introduction

• Integrity illustration: Davis Love III and the costly, honest penalty; the peace of a clean heart outweighs immediate gain.

• Working definition: “Conscience” as inner shared-knowledge that evaluates conduct in the sight of God (Romans 2:13–16).

• Aim: Understand what conscience is, what it can become, and how to keep it good and clear before God and men (Acts 24:16).

I. What Is the Conscience? Its Nature and Office

1. Biblical terms

   • New Testament: suneidēsis—“knowing with oneself” (Romans 2:15; 1 Corinthians 8:7,10,12).

   • Old Testament: often expressed as the “heart” (2 Samuel 24:10; Proverbs 4:23).

2. Functions inside the soul (Romans 2:13–16)

   • Court reporter: records conduct.

   • Witness: bears testimony.

   • Prosecutor: accuses.

   • Defense: excuses.

3. Conscience works with learned information

   • It evaluates by standards previously received (Hebrews 5:13–14).

   • Its verdicts are trustworthy when its library is Scripture.

II. What the Conscience Can Do

1. Condemn the sinner—David’s heart smote him (2 Samuel 24:10).

2. Assure the obedient—Job holds fast righteousness; his heart does not reproach him (Job 27:6).

3. Be defiled by unbelief and impurity (Titus 1:15).

4. Be seared through persistent hypocrisy and error (1 Timothy 4:2).

5. Be neglected leading to shipwreck of faith (1 Timothy 1:18–20).

6. Approve error when misinformed—Saul persecuted “in all good conscience” (Acts 23:1; 26:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:13).

7. Affect prayer and worship

   • Harboring iniquity hinders prayer (Psalm 66:18).

   • Taking pleasure in unrighteousness brings judgment (2 Thessalonians 2:12).

III. Keeping a Clear Conscience Requires Holy Resolve

1. Deliberate striving—“I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:14–16).

2. Anchored in truth—conscience bearing witness “in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 9:1–2).

3. Shaped by sincerity—conduct marked by simplicity and godly sincerity (2 Corinthians 1:12).

4. Joined to obedient faith—the appeal of a good conscience in baptism through Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 3:21).

IV. Developing a Good and Wise Conscience

1. Feed on the Word until discernment matures (Hebrews 5:13–14; Psalm 119:9–11).

2. Practice immediate confession and forsaking of sin (Psalm 32:3–5; 1 John 1:7–9).

3. Walk in the light with accountability (Hebrews 3:12–13; James 5:16).

4. Pray for a searched heart (Psalm 139:23–24).

5. Train the will toward prompt obedience (James 1:22–25).

6. Cultivate tenderness—stay responsive to conviction; avoid rationalizations (Ephesians 4:17–24).

V. Weak, Wounded, and Growing Consciences

1. The weak conscience—uninstructed and easily defiled (1 Corinthians 8:4–13).

   • Lacks knowledge; troubled by matters indifferent.

   • Needs patient teaching and loving consideration.

2. The strong conscience—instructed and free (Romans 14:1–6, 19).

   • Uses liberty with love; pursues edification.

3. Applications

   • Refuse practices that embolden another to violate conscience (1 Corinthians 8:12–13).

   • Aim to strengthen, not merely to permit; teach toward maturity (Colossians 1:28).

VI. Diagnostics: Examining the Heart

1. Content test—Is my conscience stocked with Scripture or with custom? (Colossians 3:16).

2. Sensitivity test—Do I feel godly sorrow leading to repentance? (2 Corinthians 7:10–11).

3. Integrity test—Does my inner witness match my outward walk? (2 Corinthians 1:12).

4. Peace test—Do I enjoy the quiet assurance of a clean heart? (Hebrews 10:22; Romans 5:1).

VII. Practical Habits That Guard Conscience

1. Daily Scripture intake with self-application (Joshua 1:8; Hebrews 5:14).

2. Regular self-examination before the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28).

3. Quick reconciliation with others (Matthew 5:23–24; Romans 12:18).

4. Honest speech and transparent dealings (Ephesians 4:25; Proverbs 11:1).

5. Training children in truth and integrity (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6).

VIII. Blessings of a Good Conscience

1. Boldness before God—a heart sprinkled from an evil conscience (Hebrews 10:22).

2. Stability in trials—a testimony maintained with grace (1 Peter 3:16–17).

3. Joy in service—freedom from gnawing guilt; energy for good works (Hebrews 9:14).

Conclusion

• God gave the conscience as a guardian inside the soul. It must be taught by Scripture, kept tender through confession, and exercised by obedience.

• The church flourishes where hearts are honest, teachable, and clean before God.

Invitation

• If the inner witness has accused, come to Christ for cleansing and a good conscience through His blood (1 Peter 3:21; 1 John 1:7–9). If you need help to walk uprightly, ask for prayer and guidance today.

Call to Action

Ask the Lord today to search your heart and show you where your conscience needs teaching or cleansing. Set a simple plan for the week: read Romans 2:13–16 each morning, pray Psalm 139:23–24 at noon, and practice one concrete act of integrity each evening. If your conscience has accused you, confess to God and seek wise help to walk uprightly.

Key Takeaways

• Conscience is an inner witness that accuses or excuses in light of known truth (Romans 2:13–16).

• A trained conscience brings quick conviction when we sin and quiet assurance when we do right (2 Samuel 24:10; Job 27:6).

• Conscience can be defiled, neglected, or misinformed; it must be educated by Scripture (Titus 1:15; 1 Timothy 1:18–20; Acts 23:1).

• A clear conscience requires effort, truth, sincerity, and obedient faith in Christ (Acts 24:16; Romans 9:1–2; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 3:21).

• Regular intake of God’s Word strengthens discernment and steadies daily decisions (Hebrews 5:13–14; 1 Corinthians 8:4–13).

Scripture Reference List

• Romans 2:13–16 — Conscience bears witness; thoughts accuse or excuse.

• 2 Samuel 24:10 — David’s heart condemns him after numbering Israel.

• Job 27:6 — Holding fast to righteousness keeps the heart from reproach.

• Titus 1:15 — Unbelief and impurity defile mind and conscience.

• 1 Timothy 1:18–20 — Rejecting a good conscience leads to shipwrecked faith.

• Acts 23:1; Acts 26:9–11; 1 Timothy 1:13 — Paul’s earlier actions done in “good conscience” show the need for informed conscience.

• Proverbs 4:23 — Guard the heart; it is the well-spring of life.

• Psalm 66:18 — Harboring iniquity in the heart hinders prayer.

• 2 Thessalonians 2:12 — Pleasure in unrighteousness brings condemnation.

• Acts 24:14–16 — Striving to maintain a conscience without offense.

• Romans 9:1–2 — Conscience bearing witness in the Holy Spirit.

• 2 Corinthians 1:12 — Simplicity and godly sincerity in conduct.

• 1 Peter 3:21 — Baptism and the good conscience through Christ’s resurrection.

• Hebrews 5:13–14 — Mature discernment trained by the Word.

• 1 Corinthians 8:4–13 — The weak conscience and the need for knowledge and love.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO.