Conscience and the Journey of Faith

5 Minute Lessons on the Kingdom of God

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Is your conscience bothering you because of sin or doubt? Many people have overlooked their conscience in their journey of faith. It doesn't work. Without a clear conscience your faith will be shipwrecked.

"¹⁹Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. ²⁰Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God." (1 Timothy 1:19‑20 New Living Translation)

Have you ever done things that your flesh wanted to do and then tried to justify your actions?

As I am writing this, (it is 3:30 am in the morning) a small scorpion like creature just bit me. I am here in my house shoes with no socks on and suddenly I felt pain in my ankle! I took my hand and just brushed off my ankle and to my surprise it was this small scorpion like creature. I tried to kill it, but it resisted. This reminds me of Jesus' words,

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." (Luke 10:19)

Without a clear conscience the devil will bite you and overcome you. Through the conscience, God has given you the ability to sense right and wrong and to feel guilt for your wrong. The conscience is the self-judging function of the heart that either accuses or excuses one's self in regard to their conduct. It is the faculty which recognizes the distinction between right and wrong and demands that one do right and avoid wrong. It also makes one know that he is known and shall be judged (Acts 24:25). Although it is true that the conscience is not infallible and can make mistakes because of being trained by wrong information (Romans 14:2), it monitors between what is right and wrong.

The Scripture tells us that a clear conscience plays a vital part in the ability to operate in faith (1 Timothy 1:19 NLT). Also, it is the blood of Jesus that has the power to clear, purge, and cleanse the conscience (Hebrews 9:14).

If you are a Christian and you are living in sin, your faith is being shipwrecked, your heart is being hardened (Hebrews 3:12‑13). Danger: you can depart from the Christian faith (1 Timothy 4:1).

If you are looking for the true answer to human guilt, then consider what this tax collector did.

"¹³'Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, "God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner."
¹⁴Jesus commented, 'This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God.'..." (Luke 18:13‑14 The Message Bible)

Questions

The Apostle Paul sought to live his life in what way?

Answer

"¹⁵Having [the same] hope in God which these themselves hold and look for, that there is to be a resurrection both of the righteous and the unrighteous (the just and the unjust). ¹⁶Therefore I always exercise and discipline myself [mortifying my body, deadening my carnal affections, bodily appetites, and worldly desires, endeavoring in all respects] to have a clear (unshaken, blameless) conscience, void of offense toward God and toward men." (Acts 24:15‑16 The Amplified Bible)
Read 2 Corinthians 1:12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible).
"For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God‑given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly wisdom but by God's grace." ‑ 2 Corinthians 1:12 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

The Apostle Paul's conscience told him that he conducted himself in the following manner:
1. with God‑given sincerity
2. with purity
3. by God's grace
Answer

"For our boast is this: the testimony of our conscience that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, with God‑given sincerity and purity, not by fleshly wisdom but by God's grace." (2 Corinthians 1:12 Holman Christian Standard Bible)
Read 1 Timothy 1:5 (New Living Translation).
"The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith." ‑ 1 Timothy 1:5 (New Living Translation)

A believer needs:
1. to be filled with love
2. a pure heart
3. a clear conscience
4. genuine faith
Answer

"The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith." (1 Timothy 1:5 New Living Translation)
Read Hebrews 13:18 (Complete Jewish Bible).
"Keep praying for us, for we are certain that we have a clear conscience and want to conduct ourselves properly in everything we do." ‑ Hebrews 13:18 (Complete Jewish Bible)

Paul was living what kind of life?

Answer

Conducting himself properly in everything he does.
How can you say you are in God's Kingdom but never accept Christ's rule and reign?

Answer

You can't. You can't bypass repentance and faith and be saved. 1 John 3:3, 7-8, 10 (KJV)
"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." - 1 John 3:3

"⁷Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ⁸He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." - 1 John 3:7‑8

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." - 1 John 3:10

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We would love to hear your feedback on these lessons and how you use them in your own study or in discipling others. If you have any thoughts, stories, testimonies, comments, or questions we would love to hear them!

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The End Is Near