Blameless Conscience

Introduction Many people live their life either ignoring, neglecting, or defiling their conscience. The Bible teaches that we should have a good, clean, and pure conscience before God. (2 Tim. 1:5; Heb. 9:14; 1 Tim. 1:3) Paul did his best to always maintain a blameless conscience before God and man (Acts 24:16). In order to do that, we must have a correct knowledge of what our conscience is, how to cleanse, train, and protect it.

What is the Conscience? suneidesis- “lit., ‘a knowing with’ (sun, ‘with,’ oida, ‘to know’), i.e., ‘a co-knowledge (with oneself’)” [Vine’s] It either commends or condemns our actions. (Ro. 2:15; Gen. 42:21; John 8:9; Acts 26:9) It works on the basis of the knowledge it receives (Ro. 2:15; 3:20; 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12). It does not establish God’s approval (Ex. Saul) (Acts 23:1; 26:9; 1 Cor. 4:3-4)

Cleansing the Conscience We must first realize that we are guilty of sin and only can be redeemed by the blood of Christ (Rom. 3:20ff; 5:8-11; Heb. 9:9, 14). Many do not feel any guilt in their conscience because they have been taught error (predestination, faith only, good works, irresistible grace) We must have an obedient faith which would include being baptized into Christ (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Rom. 6:3ff; 8:16)

Training the Conscience If we are going to live godly, we must have our conscience trained by God’s word (not the world, creeds of men, popularity, etc.) (Phil. 1:9-11; Ro. 12:2; Ex. 23:2; Titus 2:12) We must study so that we will grow in the grace and knowledge of God’s will so that we can discern good and evil and not be deceived by false teachers (2 Peter 3:15-18; Heb. 5:12ff). Let us train ourselves to be holy (1 Pt. 1:13-16) so we can serve God with a pure conscience.

Protecting the Conscience against Defilement Don’t be apathetic, do what is right even if you suffer for it (1 Pt. 2:19; 3:16; 4:12f; Js. 4:17). Concerning matters of authorized liberties, don’t doubt, but be fully convinced in your own mind so you won’t violate your conscience. (Rom. 14:1-5, 23; 1 Cor. 8:7,10,12) Remain humble so that you do not sin willfully or you will sear your conscience so that you won’t repent of your sins (1 John 1:8-10; Heb. 10:26ff; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Eph. 4:17-19).

Do you have a blameless conscience? Conclusion Do you have a blameless conscience? Do you know that you are guilty of sin and are unprepared to meet God in the Judgment? If so, be cleansed of your sin by being baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Acts 2:38) or repent and pray if you are a Christian (Acts 8:22-24) Through the Lord’s grace, mercy, and love Paul was able to be faithful until death and so can you (1 Tim. 1:12-16; 2 Tim. 4:6-8).