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Post by John on Sept 10, 2020 10:06:43 GMT -5
Before I begin this new thread, I want to say that the idea for this topic comes from a conversation I had with PG4Him. I love talking to her, because she gets me thinking about things. She is no air head. She is a person who is a deep thinker, and I love talking to people like that about spiritual matters.
This morning, I was thinking about the idea of should we be led of our conscience? If our conscience is really in tune with God, it can be a great thing, and we see many New Testament scriptures about the conscience. There are more references to the conscience than I had even realized. I was just looking the word up in the Concordance, and it comes up 29 times. That is quite a lot. In each instance, it comes from the same Greek word suneidesis, and it means co-perception, i.e moral consciousness. We can see examples of how a person's conscience convicted them of sin, which is a good thing, but we can also see things like where a person is said to have an evil conscience, Hebrews 10:22. We can see that some have a seared conscience or a defiled conscience, see 1 Timothy 4:2 and Titus 1:15. So I guess the issue is, how should we view being led by our conscience? Is that the best way to live our lives?
I am unable to spend the time posting the scriptures right now about this subject, but if others want to post some and discuss them from different angles, feel free. If not, I will try to delve deeper into this subject later on.
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Post by Tabitha3319 on Sept 10, 2020 12:04:01 GMT -5
I believe the conscience and the Bible are like the left and right hand of our way into a Holy lifestyle.
When my conscience fails to convict me, I think it's because our are broken from the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. The Bible renews my mind and helps my conscience along.
But the Bible couldn't do its work of correction and conviction without the conscience.
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Post by John on Sept 13, 2020 12:25:25 GMT -5
The first scripture I want to post mentioning the conscience is found in John chapter 8, and it takes place right after we read a very familiar story about a woman who was brought to Jesus because she was caught in the act of adultery. Lets jump down to verse 7 and we will read through verse 9.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
This is the first time the word conscience is used in the New Testament. In this instance, a guilty conscience prevented the people from stoning this sinful woman to death.
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Post by John on Sept 13, 2020 12:29:44 GMT -5
The second time we see the word conscience in the New Testament is in Acts 23:1.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
In this case, Paul is using the word conscience to show that he has a clear conscience before God. That is the state we want to be in. We want to be at a place where we know that we are walking right, and have no reason to feel condemned. We have confidence with God, because we know we are doing our best to live in a way that is pleasing to Him. We do that by taking up our cross each day and following Jesus Christ.
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 12:32:55 GMT -5
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Apostle Paul, Acts 24:16
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Post by John on Sept 13, 2020 12:36:12 GMT -5
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Apostle Paul, Acts 24:16 If you will notice, when Paul speaks of his conscience here, he makes it clear that having a clean conscience takes work. It is not automatic. He states that he actually exercises himself to have a conscience void of offence toward God and toward men. If all a person had to do to have a clean conscience is just believe in Jesus, it would not require exercise. This is something we have to actively work at. We have to practice living a life void of offence.
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 12:40:59 GMT -5
(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the works of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Apostle Paul, Romans 2:13-15
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 12:44:38 GMT -5
I SAY the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. A-men.
Apostle Paul, Romans 9:1-5
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 12:49:14 GMT -5
LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Apostle Paul, Romans 13:1-5
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 12:57:09 GMT -5
NOW as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Howbeit, there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Apostle Paul, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 13:04:32 GMT -5
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no questions for conscience sake. But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof:
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Apostle Paul,1 Corinthians 10:23-33
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 13:09:11 GMT -5
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward. For we write none other things unto you, than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end; As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 1:12-14
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 13:18:58 GMT -5
THEREFORE seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Apostle Paul, 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
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Post by frienduff on Sept 13, 2020 13:20:34 GMT -5
I believe the conscience and the Bible are like the left and right hand of our way into a Holy lifestyle. When my conscience fails to convict me, I think it's because our are broken from the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden. The Bible renews my mind and helps my conscience along. But the Bible couldn't do its work of correction and conviction without the conscience. Sister this is beautiful . but one word must be changed . SO allow me to retype it . Last sentence . But the bible cant do its work of correction and conviction WITHOUT THE SPIRIT . ITS ALL about the SPIRIT . our conscience is void from our youth . But we are not without fault , however , because even in our conscience there is the knowledge of just enough to know of a possiblity of GOD . its there . But without the grace of GOD which first draws us to JESUS , we cannot tune in the the whole rightly divided truth as we ought to see it . What was it that first put the desire to change , the desire to really KNOW GOD in my heart . THE SPIRIT DID . MY conscious was dead , carnal , unable to truly understand . Believe me , when i say we are saved by grace , THAT is aboslute truth . However , and this is the part most will argue with , once we are drawn by GOD and come to FAITH IN JESUS , folks can still fall away . Because one thing can and does harden the heart . ANY GUESSES . paul warned of it and all the apostels said NOT TO DO IT . JESUS said TO GO and DO IT NO MORE . ITS SIN . ITS SIN . YES , its SIN . I have seen folks fall and every time its over the love of sin . SIN came , they entertained it , EVEN with the warnings from the SPIRIT to NOT DO IT . But they become enslaved to it again . Because they will not heed HE who speaks from heaven . Lusts are something that every lamb has within the flesh . Every lamb has contrary thoughts due to the flesh . But once they begin to enterain those contrary thoughts , they enter into sin . AND when folks warn them to cease , they wont . THAT IS HOW THEY FALL . SIN is deadly , its a monster and its end is death . Lambs better buckle down and be very grave against it and warn against it , JUST like paul and every other apostle and JESUS DID . Cause the second we go down the sensual love path of another image of GOD , we doom ourselves . GOD will not acquit the wicked . NOPE the WICKED has to repent . IF the righteous man does leave that path and begin wickedness , we better warn that soul . cause if we dont and they continuie on the path and end up in flames , WE GONNA BE RIGHT THERE WITH THEM . OH yes the blood ofthier soul is on our hands . I love us all , i am not the mean monster folks think i am . I WARN cause I LOVE .
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Post by Apostle's Instructions on Sept 13, 2020 13:21:05 GMT -5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
Apostle Paul, 1 Timothy 1:5
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