1. The Fading Conscience

2. Society declared war on guilt Society declared war on conscience (it exposes guilt) “A good conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory” “A good conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory” “The best friend is a clear conscience” “The best friend is a clear conscience”

3. I. False Views of Conscience

4. “If follow conscience, saved”  Ac.2 “Let conscience be your guide” Saul Ac.26:9-11 Conscience + Error = Sin Paul 1 Co.4:4 Conscience – Guilt ≠ Justified

5. I. False Views of Conscience II. Finding The Conscience

6. Conscience  Con▪science < conscientia, to know w. 1 Consciousness of right or wrong 2 Conscience 3 Conscientiousness – LSJ. Hb.10:2 1 Consciousness of right or wrong 2 Conscience 3 Conscientiousness – LSJ. Hb.10:2 The inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong – BDAG Mind acting as judge. Watchman The inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong – BDAG Mind acting as judge. Watchman

7. Conscience  Con▪science < conscientia, to know w.  OT: not mentioned, but illustrated  NT: 30x (29 vss) In some languages, conscience is “the inner voice” Gn.42:…21 Ps.51:10 John 8 Ac.24:24-25

8. Related expressions for conscience 1 John 3:16-22 Ought, 16; Heart, 17; Sincerity, 18 1 confident 1 confident heart, 19 ( good conscience) 2 convicted 2 convicted heart, 20 ( guilty conscience) 3 committed 3 committed heart, 21 ( informed conscience) Senses discern good evil “Senses exercised to discern good and evil” – Hb.5:12-14

9. I. False Views Of Conscience III. Functions Of Conscience II. Finding The Conscience

10. 1. Bears witness, Ro.2:14-15 Gentiles w/o OT displayed its works (often outshining Jews) Conscience... 1 considered their conduct 2 condemned their vices 3 commended their virtues Mt.8, centurionMt.15, mother Conscience here = heart. 1 Sm.24:5, 10

11. 1. Bears witness, Ro.2:14-15 2. Testifies, 2 Co.1:12 Conscience testifies separately from Paul – tells him he is right  Mt.18:15 Belshazzar Dt.5:5-6 Negative self- evaluation Herod Mk.6:14-18 Negative self- evaluation

12. 1. Bears witness, Ro.2:14-15 2. Testifies, 2 Co.1:12 3. Source of love, 1 Tim.1:5 Threefold source of love – 1. Pure heart, Ps.51:6 2. Good conscience, Hb.13:18 3. Sincere faith, Ga.5:6 Good conscience, guided by God’s revelation, loves Ct. Tit.1:15-16 Good conscience, guided by God’s revelation, loves Ct. Tit.1:15-16

13. I. False Views Of Conscience IV. Futile Consciences II. Finding The Conscience III. Functions Of Conscience

14. A conscience may be... 1. Rejected, 1 Tim.1:19 (ct. v.5) 2. Seared, 1 Tim.4:2 (cauterize). Zec.7 3. Defiled, Tit.1:15 (Jn.18:28) 4. Evil, Hb.10:22 Guilty conscience: loaded with bad content, 2, 16. 1 Peter, Mt.26:75 2 Simon, Ac.8:22

15. I. False Views Of Conscience V. Favorable Consciences II. Finding The Conscience III. Functions Of Conscience IV. Futile Consciences

16. A conscience may be... 1. Good, Ac.23:1 (clear) 2. Void of offense, Ac.24:16 (blameless) 3. Restraining, Ro.13:5 (1 Pt.2:19) 4. Pure, 1 Tim.3:9; 2 Tim.1:3. How? Verdict of faith and conscience agree FAITHCONSCIENCE AGREE

17. A conscience may be... 1. Good, Ac.23:1 (clear) 2. Void of offense, Ac.24:16 (blameless) 3. Restraining, Ro.13:5 (1 Pt.2:19) 4. Pure, 1 Tim.3:9; 2 Tim.1:3. How? 5. Purged, Hb.9:9 (ct. 10:1, 3). 9:13-14 conscience Blood cleanses Hb.9:14 Baptism cleanses Ep.5:26

18. A conscience may be... 1. Good, Ac.23:1 (clear) 2. Void of offense, Ac.24:16 (blameless) 3. Restraining, Ro.13:5 (1 Pt.2:19) 4. Pure, 1 Tim.3:9; 2 Tim.1:3. How? 5. Purged, Hb.9:9 (ct. 10:1, 3). 9:13-14 6. Clear, 1 Pt.3:21 conscience Blood Hb.9:14 Baptism 1 Pt.3:21