Continually Adjusting Our Conscience

God has built into our nature an internal judicial system — the conscience. It commends us when we do right and condemns us when we do wrong (cf. Acts 23:1; John 8:7-9). But this vital monitor of morality does not say the same thing to everyone (Titus 1:15). In some cultures, vengeful killing is seen as honorable. In others, a person is still considered good even when he betrays a friend.

The story is told of a 10-year-old boy caught stealing a watch. He told police that previously he had shoplifted a gift for his mother, and he felt he had to do the same for his father. Although troubled about slighting his father, he had no qualms about stealing.

Because of sin, our conscience is unreliable and needs a continual adjustment. This begins with a right relationship to God through our obedience to Christ and His teachings (Romans 6:17; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12-14; 1 John 1:7-9). By our Lord paying sin’s penalty, our hearts are now “sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22).

As we daily study and make application of the inspired Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Acts 17:11; Romans 12:2; Hebrews 5:14), they place an inner monitor within our conscience (Psalm 119:11; cf. Psalm 37:30-31) that brings us in tune with the words, deeds, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus (John 14:21; John 14:23; 1 John 2:3-6; 1 John 5:1-3).

The old adage, “Let your conscience be your guide,” is valid only if God’s Word is guiding our conscience (Acts 24:10-16; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Timothy 1:5; 1 Timothy 3:8-9; 2 Timothy 1:3).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets