Every Person Has A Conscience Though Not Everyone Knows What To Do With It Extremes: Misuse of Conscience “Let Conscience Be Your Guide” “Go Ahead – Even Though Against Conscience” Word “Conscience” Not used in OT Used 29 Times in NT

I. What is the Conscience?

A. To Know Right From Wrong 1. English Word – from Latin “to know wrong” 2. “Faculty of recognizing the distinction between right and wrong coupled with a sense that one should act accordingly.. Conformity to one’s own sense of right conduct” (AHD, p. 312).

I. What is the Conscience? A. To Know Right From Wrong B. To Know Together With 1. A. T. Robertson: (comments on Acts 23:1) “joint knowledge” – to know together. 2. Con (prefix) = together with; science = knowledge. 3. Knowledge of what should do and what you do.

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide

A. Can Sin With A Good Conscience 1. Acts 23:1 2. Compare: Acts 8:1-3; 9:1 B. Can Be Defiled And Evil 1. Titus 1:15 2. Heb. 10:22

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience

A. Be Convicted Of Sin 1. John 8:9 2. “My conscience is bothering me.” B. Prevent Sin 1. Rom. 2:15 – guided by knowledge of word 2. Keeps us within prescribed boundaries (a) Acts 23:1 (b) 1 Cor. 8:10

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience IV. Must be Educated

A. Conscience Is Based Upon Knowledge We Have 1. Rom. 2:15 2. Conscience is only as good as knowledge we have

IV. Must be Educated A. Conscience Is Based Upon Knowledge We Have B. Lacking Of Knowledge – Conscience Will Not Allow Some Things (1 Cor. 8:7) C. Paul’s Conscience Allowed Him to Persecute Until He Gain Knowledge of Resurrection D. Thus, As Educate – Conscience Changes: 1. Things used to do – bothers us now 2. Things thought wrong – are not

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience IV. Must be Educated V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated

V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated A. Weak Conscience = Conscientious 1. Rom. 14; 1 Cor Faith is not weak – in fact – strong in faith 3. A point of knowledge – not have (1 Cor. 8:7) 4. Conscience will not allow him to do things that is right. - Eating meat sacrificed to idols (1 Cor 8:10-12) - Eating meat (Rom. 14)

V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated A. Weak Conscience = Conscientious B. Conscience Must Not Be Violated Rom 14:23 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience IV. Must be Educated V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated VI. Clear Conscience

A. A Clear Conscience Is When Our Knowledge of Self & What We Ought to Do Agree Rom. 8:16

The Spirit Gives Evidence - Rom. 8:16 Tells What One Must Do Knows What He Has Done Agree “Forgive” “I’ve done that” Then we can know we are right with God!

VI. Clear Conscience A. A Clear Conscience Is When Our Knowledge of Self & What We Ought to Do Agree B. Cleared By the Sacrifice of Christ Heb. 9; 14; 10:2 C. When It Is Cleared 1. When obey the gospel 2. 1 Pet. 3:21 – answer of good conscience

VI. Clear Conscience A. A Clear Conscience Is When Our Knowledge of Self & What We Ought to Do Agree B. Cleared By the Sacrifice of Christ C. When It Is Cleared D. Maintained By Godly Living 1. 1 Tim. 1:19; 3: Tim. 1: Pet. 3:16

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience IV. Must be Educated V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated VI. Clear Conscience VII. Seared Conscience

A. Progression / Stages: 1. Violate conscience (1 Cor. 8:7) 2. Becomes Defiled (Titus 1:15) 3. Seared (1 Tim. 4:2) B. What Is A Seared Conscience? 1. Cannot be bothered or pricked any more 2. Happens with repeated violations (Heb. 3:7)

I. What is the Conscience? II. Not to be Our Guide III. Role of the Conscience IV. Must be Educated V. Weak Conscience – Not to be Violated VI. Clear Conscience VII. Seared Conscience