Topical Bible: Man: Possessed of Conscience

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The concept of conscience in the biblical context refers to the inner sense of right and wrong that guides human behavior and moral decision-making. This intrinsic moral compass is a significant aspect of what it means to be human, as it reflects the image of God in which man was created. The conscience serves as a witness to God's law written on the hearts of individuals, even apart from the explicit knowledge of His commandments.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul addresses the role of conscience in several of his epistles, emphasizing its importance in the moral life of believers and non-believers alike. In Romans 2:14-15 , Paul writes, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to 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 either accusing or defending them." This passage highlights that the conscience acts as an internal witness to God's moral law, even among those who have not received the Mosaic Law.

Conscience and Moral Responsibility

The conscience is integral to moral responsibility, as it prompts individuals to discern and choose between good and evil. In 1 Timothy 1:5 , Paul instructs Timothy, "The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith." Here, a clear conscience is associated with purity of heart and sincerity of faith, suggesting that a well-formed conscience is essential for living a life pleasing to God.

Furthermore, the conscience can be seared or corrupted, leading to moral insensitivity. Paul warns against this in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 , stating, "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." A seared conscience is one that has become desensitized to sin, resulting in a departure from the truth.

Conscience and Christian Liberty

The New Testament also addresses the role of conscience in matters of Christian liberty. In 1 Corinthians 8:7-12 , Paul discusses the issue of eating food offered to idols, acknowledging that some believers, due to their weak conscience, may view such actions as sinful. He advises the stronger believers to be mindful of the consciences of others, stating, "Be careful, however, that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak." This underscores the importance of respecting the consciences of fellow believers and exercising liberty with love and consideration.

Conscience and the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in shaping and guiding the conscience of believers. In John 16:8 , Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit's work, saying, "When He comes, He will convict the world regarding sin and righteousness and judgment." The Spirit's conviction aligns the believer's conscience with God's truth, enabling them to discern His will and live accordingly.

Conclusion

The conscience is a vital aspect of human nature, reflecting the moral order established by God. It serves as an internal guide, bearing witness to the divine law and holding individuals accountable to God's standards. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, the conscience is continually shaped and refined, enabling believers to grow in holiness and love.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 2:15
Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Doctrine of Man
... e) The Original Man Possessed Moral and Spiritual Faculties. ... (6) The entire nature
of man, mentally, morally ... Jer.17:9, 10); the mind and conscience are defiled ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of man.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... fastening its tooth in his conscience for a ... this subject is exhaustive; while man's
self-knowledge ... contradiction, if mankind generally were possessed of even ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

The Original and the Actual Relation of Man to Law.
... If this is all that a man is possessed of, he ... The man that doeth these things shall
indeed live by them ... Men have supposed that an active conscience, and a lofty ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the original and the actual.htm

The Law of Christian Conscience.
... is the price which all who are possessed of influence ... his tenant to vote against
his conscience, it may ... personal politeness and attention, the rich man puts a ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/xvi the law of christian.htm

The Acquirement of Spiritual Power
... principle is the same calm, dauntless, self-possessed man under all ... after our own;
but the great man is he ... judgment; be true to your own conscience; follow the ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the acquirement of spiritual power.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... Conscience awakes; and when they consider the denunciations of ... But the perfect and
upright man, how happily ... If possessed of himself, like the still summer's ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing ...
... and temporal, that there is no man possessed of spiritual good ... which only beautify
and bless the soul of man. ... there follows an intestine war in the conscience. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix now the god.htm

The Cleansing of the Temple.
... eye; but there was no need of the Baptist: the action of Christ awakening conscience
in the ... Zeal for His father's glory, zeal for God and man, possessed Him. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/vi the cleansing of the.htm

Thanksgiving to God for the Pardon Granted to the Offenders ...
... Wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth
evil ... The reason is, that he possessed a conscience inwardly admonishing him ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xii thanksgiving to god.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... that he entirely drowns the voice of conscience while he ... knows the man as well as
the man knows himself. The Omniscient One is certainly possessed of an amount ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man.htm