The concept of conscience is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the inner sense of right and wrong that guides human behavior. The conscience acts as a moral compass, influenced by divine law and personal conviction. Scripture provides numerous insights into the nature, function, and importance of conscience in the life of a believer.

1. Creation and Function of Conscience: The conscience is an inherent part of human nature, created by God to guide individuals in moral decision-making. Romans 2:14-15 states, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them."

2. Conscience and Sin: The conscience can be affected by sin, leading to guilt and conviction. In John 8:9 , during the account of the woman caught in adultery, it is noted, "When they heard this, they began to go away one by one, beginning with the older ones, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there." This illustrates how conscience can lead to self-reflection and acknowledgment of sin.

3. A Clear Conscience: Maintaining a clear conscience is emphasized as a goal for believers. Acts 24:16 records Paul saying, "In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man." A clear conscience is associated with living in accordance with God's will and commands.

4. Conscience and Christian Liberty: The conscience plays a role in the exercise of Christian liberty, particularly in matters not explicitly addressed by Scripture. Romans 14:22-23 advises, "Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin."

5. Weak and Strong Consciences: The Bible acknowledges that believers may have differing levels of conscience sensitivity. 1 Corinthians 8:7-12 discusses how some believers, with a weak conscience, may be troubled by certain actions that others with a strong conscience are not. It warns against causing others to stumble: "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."

6. Conscience and Spiritual Warfare: The conscience is also involved in spiritual warfare, as seen in 1 Timothy 1:18-19 : "Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith."

7. Seared Conscience: A conscience can become seared or insensitive through persistent sin and rejection of truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 warns, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."

8. Purification of Conscience: The cleansing of the conscience is made possible through the redemptive work of Christ. Hebrews 9:14 declares, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"

These scriptures collectively underscore the vital role of conscience in the believer's life, guiding moral choices, influencing spiritual growth, and reflecting one's relationship with God.Job 15:21,24
A dreadful sound is in his ears: in prosperity the destroyer shall come on him.
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Job 27:6
My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
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Proverbs 20:12
The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD has made even both of them.
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Matthew 5:15,16
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house.
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Matthew 6:22,23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single, your whole body shall be full of light.
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Luke 11:33-36
No man, when he has lighted a candle, puts it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.
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Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brothers, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
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Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offense toward God, and toward men.
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Romans 2:14,15
For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves:
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Romans 7:15-22,23
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
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Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
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Romans 14:1-23
Him that is weak in the faith receive you, but not to doubtful disputations.
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1 Corinthians 8:7-13
However, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
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1 Corinthians 10:32
Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
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2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
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2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
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2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest to God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
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1 Timothy 1:5,19
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
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1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
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Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
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Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
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Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
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1 Peter 2:19
For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
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1 Peter 3:16,21
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
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1 John 3:20,21
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
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Concerning Perseverance, and the Possibility of Falling from Grace ...
... grace; far less that a good conscience doth consist ... the truth apparent in the scriptures,
which God ... the scripture abundantly declareth, both in general and as ...
/.../proposition ix concerning perseverance and.htm

Concerning the Scriptures.
... testimony of the Spirit in my conscience that must ... particular station, and not only
the general terms of ... falls out frequently concerning the scriptures, in the ...
/.../proposition iii concerning the scriptures.htm

General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses ...
... to the understanding and applying to the conscience the general ... It must suffice to
indicate the general principle by ... No.6. Not only are the Scriptures in their ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxiv general principles of.htm

On Angels in General and in Particular
... DISPUTATION XXV ON ANGELS IN GENERAL AND IN PARTICULAR. ... We are informed in the
Scriptures themselves, that there ... God and from an evil conscience which springs ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxv on angels in.htm

The Twenty-First Article they Absolutely Condemn, Because we do ...
... they pray for the Church in general, albeit no ... can be produced from the Scriptures
concerning the invocation of saints, it follows that conscience can have ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 26 the twenty-first article.htm

Concerning the Sacrament of Penance
... and in examples taken from the Scriptures, where we ... consciences; when, after laying
open our conscience to a ... fasting; while all, under one general delusion, say ...
/.../first principles of the reformation/concerning the sacrament of penance.htm

Snares of Satan.
... Like a skilful general, he lays his plans ... for pleasing fables that will quiet the
conscience. ... the testimony of the inspired Scriptures concerning the deity of ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /32 snares of satan.htm

Snares of Satan
... Like a skillful general he lays his plans ... for pleasing fables that will quiet the
conscience. ... the testimony of the inspired Scriptures concerning the deity of ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 32 snares of satan.htm

General Index.
... general proclamation of, 355-374. ... see also Conscience; Heretics; Persecution;
Puritans; Toleration; United States. ... see also Bible; Scriptures. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

And Judas Iscariot
... There are many such warnings in the Scriptures. ... sort of a niche, another distinguished
general is to be ... to condemn him, and his awful conscience constantly to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/and judas iscariot.htm

What is the conscience? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to have a seared conscience? | GotQuestions.org

How can I get a clear conscience? | GotQuestions.org

Conscience: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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