Good Conscience

Q: What does the Bible say about conscience?

The Bible teaches that conscience is a moral compass in humans, reflecting God's law within our hearts. In Romans 2:11-16, the Scripture reveals that all people have a conscience that bears witness to the law of God, even those who have not been directly given it, such as the Gentiles. This suggests that every individual has an inherent understanding of right and wrong, a moral compass that aligns with God's standards. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that conscience can accuse or excuse our actions, highlighting its role as an internal guide. However, while conscience is important, it must be governed by Scripture and not relied upon blindly, as it can often lead us astray if not aligned with God's word.

Q: How do we know justification is true?

Justification is grounded in the resurrection of Christ, which confirms that believers are made righteous before God. The doctrine of justification is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, as indicated in Romans 4:25, which speaks of Christ being raised for our justification. This signifies that through His death and resurrection, our sins are paid for, and we are declared righteous in God's sight. The testimony of a good conscience toward God, as mentioned in 1 Peter 3:21, affirms that we acknowledge our dependence on His grace and the work completed by Jesus. Therefore, justification is not based on our merits but solely on Christ's righteousness, assuring us of our salvation.

Q: Why is having a good conscience important for Christians?

A good conscience allows Christians to live in line with God's will and to have assurance of their faith. Having a good conscience is crucial for Christians as it serves as a testament to the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. In 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul describes how a good conscience rejoices in sincerity and godly conduct, affirming that believers act not out of self-reliance but out of grace. A good conscience reflects an understanding of one's standing before God and the assurance that comes from being cleansed by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14). It enables believers to endure trials and perform good works, confident that they are saved and guided by God's Spirit. Without a good conscience, one may struggle with doubts about their faith and relationship with God.

Q: What does the Bible say about evil conscience?

An evil conscience is one that is defiled and does not heed God's truth, leading to sinful actions. Scripture warns against having an evil conscience, which is characterized by a mind and heart that reject God’s righteousness. In Titus 1:15, Paul notes that 'unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure,' indicating that an evil conscience distorts one's view of good and evil. Moreover, in 1 Timothy 4:1-2, the consequence of yielding to deceitful spirits results in a seared conscience, meaning one becomes desensitized to sin and truth. Such a conscience is a dangerous state, as it leads individuals away from genuine faith and obedience to God’s word.

Q: How does the conscience relate to the law of God?

The conscience reflects God's law, providing an innate sense of right and wrong within individuals. The conscience acts as an internal witness of God's law, as portrayed in Romans 2:15, where it is stated that the Gentiles, who do not have the law, still demonstrate the law's effects by their actions. This suggests that God's moral law is inscribed on the hearts of all people, enabling them to discern right from wrong. However, the conscience must be guided by the truth of Scripture to avoid misinterpretation and self-justification. Ultimately, a well-formed conscience is aligned with the word of God, which sanctifies and guides believers in their moral decisions.

If you would, be turning with me to Romans chapter two, Romans chapter two. Romans chapter two, and we're gonna start in verse 11, 11 through 16. For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law. And as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law. 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 show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another, in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

So we read here of what I'm gonna concentrate on this morning, though, we read here of conscience. And here, of course, it is in reference to the law of God and men and women's conscience. Men and women's, all men and women's conscience, at least at one time, bear witness to us in our hearts what is right and wrong. And I'm talking about even unregenerate people here is what it's talking about.

We've said here many times that the law is holy, just, and good. But even for Gentiles who did not have the law like the Jews did, the Jews had this law all the time. It was given to Moses and then Moses gave it to the Jewish people. Yet we are told here that a person's conscience bears record of the law of God, that some things are right and wrong. It shows us that they have this in them already, even though they have not been given the law, as were these children of Israel here.

And I believe in the context, this is saying they accuse someone when they should not, or accuse someone else even if they do the same things. or they excuse someone or themselves when there is no excuse. They try to justify themselves. This flesh still does this for believers as well. We try to justify ourselves even though we know we are wrong. But these here excuse one another it says or accuse and it is Whichever might be fair or better for them in the situation, that's when they do it. They do it just because it's better for them and their situation.

And that's whether it's towards someone else or themselves. And I know some say, let conscience be your guide. Nope. If you do, and your mind accuses or excuses when it should not, then you better not be following your conscience. We still do that today in our flesh.

How many times do I try to justify what I have done instead of just calling it for what it is, sin and unbelief toward God? The indication here is those who teach the law are hypocrites because it says in verse 21, it says, thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? Thou that preaches a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Any man or woman who says they do not is lying on God. The point being made here is that no one keeps the law of God, and we've heard that here plenty of times. Whether they are taught the law or not, because the law is right there in our heart already. But yet we do read other places where it says some do certain specific things because they do have a good conscience toward God. Turn with me to 1 Peter 3. 1 Peter 3. I'll be turning to quite a few passages this morning. 1 Peter 3. And we'll see this. 1 Peter 3 18-22.

For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, by which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah. while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.

The like figure, whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is gone into heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." So now we read here in this verse, 21, that some, because of a good conscience toward God, what do they do?

They submit to something. They submit to the outward declaration, they declare what they believe, and the outward show, that is they're going down into the waters, and outward acknowledgement of God being right. These here having this good conscience toward God, and that's when God brings them to this place, they acknowledge God to be good. They confess this with their mouth that God has done all things through and by Jesus Christ.

Him being righteousness itself to save such a sinner as myself. It says this was done by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So they confess by going into the water to be baptized. But this justification was all done when Jesus Christ raised from the dead.

I've read it several times the last few weeks. Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised again for our justification. This is what is being confessed in a good conscience. This is what the good conscience does. It says and it believes that salvation is of the Lord. He did something for sinners that they could not do for themselves.

We come to know that we were the children of wrath even as others, but by Jesus Christ, we were made the righteousness of God in him. This all comes from the heart. What do we read in Romans 10? You don't have to turn to it, Romans 10, eight through 10. But what sayeth it?

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth and in thy heart. that is the word of faith which we preach, that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

First of all, if that is us, we have to have a heart. so that we can believe. We know this is not a heart that we were born with in Adam. We've read it here many times before too, Jeremiah 17, 9. The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? The heart we are born with is deceitful and desperately wicked, it says it.

There comes a time when God gives us a new heart, one which is bent toward God instead of man. All his work, none of my work. But this heart believes God. It believes God about Jesus Christ, that is who he is and what he's done. But it also believes who I am, what God tells me I am, a sinner. A saved sinner, yes, but yet a sinner. But we first begin to see him, Jesus Christ, and that he justified us before God, being raised from the dead.

And he did this for me. That's what I come to know. We eventually will come to see he did this for all his people. We come to know that there are others that have this good conscience as well toward God. They come to see the glorious God and what he has done, and they see man for what he is, a sinner, ungodly, no strength, a worm. A red maggot is what we're given in scripture.

That's what we are by nature. We come to see that I deserve hell, but by God's grace I have been freed from that law which absolutely declares I have sinned against God and I deserve hell. God frees me from that, and not only am I freed from the law, but I am saved from condemnation and made the very righteousness of God in Him. Those who make this confession, generally we see those in Scripture, and most want to confess this immediately and be baptized.

We have several places where we see this, three that I know of, and there could be more, and maybe there's one where it doesn't happen so soon, but you can look these up sometime, Acts 16, 32, 33, Acts 10, 44, 48, and Acts 8, 34 through 37, where they hear the truth and they say, here's water, what hinders me to be baptized? but a good conscience will be true to God's word. It will ascribe all majesty, honor, and power to God and put man in the dust where he belongs. Anything less than that is not a good conscience but the flesh. We cannot let conscience be our guide. We are never told to let it be our guide.

We are actually told that if we are one of his, we are guided by his spirit. And his spirit will tell you those things from scripture. And what I mean by that is the spirit of God will confirm those things when you hear them from scripture, when someone's reading it, preaching the gospel to you, or you're reading it from a message or whatever. And the spirit of God will speak of Jesus Christ.

So if your conscience says anything different, you best drop it. If your conscience looks to confess ego at any time, it is not a good conscience. And that's what I want to look at today is conscience, evil conscience and good conscience. First, evil conscience. First we have a passage that talks about pure and unpure. Titus 1, if you'll turn there. I'm going to turn to all these places where I'm reading these, so you can turn or look them up later if you wish. Titus 1, if I can find it here. Titus 1, verses 10 through 16.

For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision. whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not for filthy lucre's sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said the Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

This witness is true, wherefore rebuke them sharply that they may be sound in the faith, not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure. But even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

What do we read here in this passage? There are many unruly vain talkers and deceivers. Unruly. What does this mean? Insubordinate. They will not submit. They have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God. They are unsubmissive, teaching things they ought not to teach, and they do this for gain. So if your conscience is not going to submit to God, it's not a good conscience. They are vain talkers, senseless. Their speech, their messages have no meaning. They make no sense according to the word of God.

I did not say they do not consist of some of the word of God, but it also carries this meaning, mischievous, a wrangler, a bickering disputant, or like those horse wranglers, you know, if you think about those, they're trying to get people under them to keep them under control, that's what they're doing. And they're deceivers, someone who misleads another in their mind.

Anyone who does not teach God who does as he pleases, who does not teach salvation is totally of the Lord, are all of these things. But look at what Paul adds. He says, especially they of the circumcision. Those who teach man must do something or man has some part in his salvation. That is, those who teach man must in some part keep or do the law of God. And Paul does not have any good feelings toward these who teach works rather than grace, because there is no grace there in works. A salvation that adds man's works into the mix is no salvation at all. Paul says their mouths must be stopped.

And how do we do this? We proclaim the truth as it is in Jesus Christ. He even says here in this text that some of them even tell the truth on God's people. We see it in verse 12, we read it. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own said, the Christians are always liars, evil beasts, and slow bellies. Does Paul say when he comes to that, that they're lying on you? No, he doesn't say that. He says this witness is true.

We in and of ourselves are no better than anyone else, so rebuke them sharply, it says. Abruptly, without warning, suddenly or unexpectedly. Rebuke them right now, but not just for rebuke's sake. Why is it that they should be rebuked? So that they might keep the law of God? No. That they might be sound in the faith. sound in who Christ is and what he has done. That's what that's talking about.

Those who are gods look to the things of Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ alone. They do not look to the commandments of men. Those commandments that say to do this or to do that. Those are the commandments of men. What did we read previously about those in Jerusalem and what they wrote to the Gentiles according to Acts? They wrote this letter that they were gonna send out to these other folks. In Acts 15, 24, for as much as we have heard that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your soul, saying, you must be circumcised and keep the law, to whom we gave no such commandment. Those who tell you you must keep the law in any way for salvation or because of salvation are telling you the commandments of men. Because God through the apostles tells us that there is no such commandment given in scripture. It is the commandment of men and they do this for their own gain.

We call them reformers today. God's word needs no reformation and God needs no reformation. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So his word never changes. And I do understand why Martin Luther was called a reformer. He was trying to reform the Catholic Church. But he found out that he could not do it.

The just live by faith, the faith of the Son of God. What does Paul go on to say? To the pure, all things are pure. Are the pure those who perform the Ten Commandments? Absolutely not. We are not pure by following commandments. We are pure solely and wholly by the work of Jesus Christ.

He says they even profess that they know God. They teach Jesus Christ, salvation by faith, but then as Earl used to say, they kick the bucket of milk over. They deny him in works. Not only works they might do, but they deny him in teaching salvation by works or works because of salvation. Meaning you do works being saved. But they even go further than that. They say you will progressively get better by what you do. And I've already went through that.

But we must be careful, especially if we are looking to a conscience that is walking after the performance of a commandment for salvation. Because there are many, there's some that come a time when their conscience is seared. For that, turn to 1 Timothy 4, 1 Timothy 4. 1 Timothy 4, verses, the first four verses.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving.

To render unsensitive a conscience which is no longer bothered by doing the wrong things or with not doing the right things. I cannot tell you when this might be true of a person. We can look at some and we may think they have just been turned over to themselves and their conscience is seared. But I cannot say this for sure though. But this is for sure, if your conscience is seared, you will not care about doing the right thing or that you are doing the wrong thing. And that is not a place you wanna be. and they will not care about God's word, what his word says. I want a good conscience. So next, a good conscience. So what is it about this good conscience? First of all, it is by grace.

Turn with me to 2 Corinthians 1. 2 Corinthians 1. 2 Corinthians 1. 2 Corinthians 1, I'm just gonna read one verse. 2 Corinthians 1, verse 12. 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.

He's about to tell us what we rejoice in, what believers rejoice in. We do not rejoice in doing something and it feels good to us. It feels good to our conscience. He says what we rejoice in is the testimony of our conscience. And what is that testimony? First it says that in simplicity. The gospel is simple. The gospel is singular. It is all about Jesus Christ, who he is and what he has done. It is that simple, yet that impossible for us to see it and believe it in and of ourselves.

And he goes on, it is not that we know this in our conscience and rejoice because we happen to be wise enough to come to it. How does he say that this comes? And this is something we rejoice in in our conscience. If we have a good conscience, it rejoices and gives this testimony. It is all by the grace of God. The grace of God is why and how we conduct ourselves in this world, else we would be overtaken by a wicked conscience. By the grace of God and through His Spirit is how we do this or have this. So by His Spirit.

Back over in Romans, Romans 9. Romans 9, 1. You all don't have to turn. Like I said, I'm turning to quite a few passages here. Romans 9, verse 1. I say the truth in Christ, I lie not. My conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost. If your conscience is not bearing witness in the Holy Ghost, you will have a conscience that looks to error. It will look to self. And you don't want that. Because the Spirit of God speaks to us of Jesus Christ. We know that that's in scripture. That's what he sent the comforter for, to tell us of him, of Jesus Christ. This the Spirit of God does by sealing to our hearts the gospel that is proclaimed.

So next it is through the gospel, 2 Corinthians 4. 2 Corinthians 4. 2 Corinthians 4 verses 1 through 3. 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. We first see that if we do these things, it is by the mercy of God. God is merciful to us. He is compassionate to us in showing us what He has said in His Word, the which we could not see otherwise if we did not have His Spirit. By His Spirit, when the truth of Jesus Christ is proclaimed, the Spirit guides us into all truth. We are led by the Spirit.

And we've already read that it's by grace and we behave ourselves in a certain way. We have our walk a certain way because of the grace of God. So that is how we denounce those things that are part of us in this flesh. We don't want it to be that way anymore though. We're no longer trying to trick someone into the truth. We just say what his word says by his grace. By telling men and women the truth, the gospel, the good news, that's how we commend ourselves to every man's conscience. When we do this and someone cannot see this, they are lost. Maybe, just maybe, God will find them.

So this good conscience is scripture wrought. 1 Timothy 1, back to 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy 1. First Timothy 1 and verses 18 through 20. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some, having put away concerning faith, have made shipwrecked, of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.

The scripture, the gospel is all about faith. The faith of Jesus Christ. If that's not what you're holding to, is the Christ who had this faith, all the way to redemption for his people, then you do not have a good conscience. Those like this, as it says here, they put away faith. They rather look to man's works as they deem the faith of Christ is not enough to get the job done. They put away faith by holding something other than Jesus Christ and him alone or Jesus Christ and something else.

You make shipwreck is what it says if you do this. Stranded is what the word means. If you have a shipwrecked on an island, you know, that no one knows about, you're in a place that no one can save. It is blasphemous to say God needs help in any way or that we get our help from anyone or anything else other than Jesus Christ and Him alone. A good conscience submits, as we've already said. Romans 13. Romans 13. Romans 13 and verse 5.

Wherefore, ye must needs be subject not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. And I know this is talking about submitting to those who are over us, no matter who they are, even if they are this world. But why does those with a good conscience do this? Because all of those over us, they are God's servants. He says so, even though they may not know it. But in submitting to them, we are submitting to God, who made them his servants for our sakes.

We know that there is submission to God, and by nature, we will not submit to him. What did we read of those Jews in Romans 10 3? I think I've already mentioned this. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

We do this for conscience sake, it says. That is, obey them that have the rule over us. This certainly does include believers, but it also includes unbelievers. Whoever's over us. Do what is right or you will suffer for it. And rightfully so. God put them there for this very purpose. Go back up to verse one through four and we'll read that. One through four.

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. that just says what I just got through going through right there.

God's people by his grace have a good conscience toward God, not toward man, but toward God. And this is specifically mentioned because at one time we did not have this good conscience. But this good conscience declares something specific, and this is really where I want to get to. The declaration of a good conscience. Turn over to Hebrews 9. Hebrews 9. And for right now, verse 9 of Hebrews 9. Verse 9 through 14 I'm going to read.

Which was a figure for the time then present in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience. Which stood only in meats and drinks and divers washings and carnal ordinances imposed on them until the time of reformation. But Christ being come and high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifying to the purifying of the flesh, How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? We read here that the Old Testament sacrifices which were given by God, they were given by God, but they were only given as a pattern of what was to come.

These could never purge one's conscience of sin. But that one picture was able and did accomplish that which could purge our conscience from dead works. What are dead works? Those works that come from my hands. His work though were and are able and did purge our conscience from these dead works. If I have that good conscience. What it did was to make it that we could see what He did, took care of those dead works of ours, and nailed them to His tree. He made us perfect. And because of that, our conscience, if we have a good conscience, says, Christ has done it all, and there's nothing for me to do. Just turn on over to Hebrews 10 there, and we'll read on. Hebrews 10.

For the law, having a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never, with those sacrifices which they offered year by year, continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered, because that the worshippers once purged should have no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year, for it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice an offering thou wouldst not, but a body hast thou prepared me. and burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin, thou hast had no pleasure. Then said I, Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me, to do thy will, O God. Above, when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offerings for sin, thou wouldst not, neither has pleasure therein, which are offered by the law. Then said he, lo, I come to do thy will. O God, he taketh away the first, that he may establish the second, by the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

A good conscience is one that knows all the credit goes to him. And that is for salvation and everything else. It's totally complete, too. Nothing left for me to do. All I have to do is rest in His completed salvation for me. And we have conscience that were sprinkled from an evil conscience in verse 22 of the same chapter. Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. There you can even see where the conscience is tied to the heart. That's where it's tied to the heart.

Full assurance of faith is what it says. What faith is that talking about? I must cry out to God daily as that one man did. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief. I do not trust in my faith, but what God's people do is trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who had all faith and that saved us to the uttermost.

I can and I am assured of that faith. even though I may doubt my belief in him. I have no doubts of what he has accomplished because he's able. So when I hear that gospel of him and by his grace I see his faith, I am assured of that salvation, a salvation that is total and complete. So what do I have?

A conscience toward God, verse Peter 2, verse Peter 2. 1 Peter 2. 1 Peter 2 and verse 19. 19 through 25. For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even here unto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow after his steps. who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth, who when he was reviled, reviled not again, and when he suffered, he threatened not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously, who his own self bear our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sin should live in the righteousness by whose stripes you were healed, for you were a sheep going astray, but are now returned unto the shepherd and bishop of your soul. This good conscience, by His grace, will allow us to suffer for walking in the Spirit. Because I know that nothing in this world that I have to suffer for will come to anything. It won't come to anything. Even if it comes to me laying this body down. They cannot hurt me to the extent that it will nullify what Christ Jesus did.

I know who He is. And I know what he has done. Just as Paul says, I know he is able to keep that which I've committed unto him against that day. Do not let your conscience be your guide, but rather let his word by his spirit guide you, which will sprinkle you and cleanse you. His spirit will lead you.

And a case in point of this that I want to make a point from is in John 8. John 8, and I'll be through here shortly. John 8. Very familiar to you all this passage. John 8. See if I can get there. John 8. John 8 and we'll just read verses 1 through 10. You all know this. John 8, 1-10.

Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives, and early in the morning He came again unto the temple. And all the people came unto Him, and He sat down and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, they say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us that such should be stoned, but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him that they might have to accuse him.

But Jesus stooped down and with his finger wrote on the ground as though he heard them not. 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. And again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground. 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. When Jesus had lifted up himself and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? Hath no man condemned thee? And we'll go ahead and read this. She said, No, man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee. Go and sin no more."

We can see that these men here that are standing by these rocks ready to stone this woman, and we can see what their purpose of all this was. They were tempting Jesus Christ so they could accuse him. Here's one of those instances where they're going to accuse or excuse. But the Lord knows all things. He knows the intent of their heart. The heart we have is tied to our conscience. What did these men's conscience do?

Christ said, he that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone at her. He stooped back down and said nothing else. What happened? All of them were convicted of their own conscience. They were convicted of sin. They then all immediately turned to Jesus Christ and said, what must we do to be saved? Did they do that? No. Their heart, which drove their conscience, was trying to tempt the Lord of glory.

So being convicted of sin does not mean you know Christ or that you turn to Christ. These all went away. A good conscience sees Christ and it does not cause you to go away from Christ, but rather to seek him or to wait for him. A good conscience is one that waits to see what the Lord of glory will do with a sinner, a sinner called in the act. They can't go anywhere.

Will he show mercy or grace towards such a sinner as me? We don't want a conscience to be our guide, but rather pray the spirit guide us into all truth. Send me your gospel is our prayer. Let me hear of what you have done. Cause me to rest in you and to drop my works right where they are. Rest in your finished work. A conscience that looks at my works as making me in some way worthy toward God is not a good conscience. Does your conscience look at yourself and say, I've turned over a new leaf, so I must be okay? That's not a good conscience.

We are told in scripture this, Luke 17, 10, so likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants. We have done that which is our duty to do. Unprofitable is what we are. We add nothing to God by what we do. It's our duty to do these things.

I want a conscience that says this, I am a sinner rightfully deserving of hell, but a sinner saved by your grace in sending your son to die for my soul. In doing so, you have for eternity saved my soul, and now I rest in your righteousness, your righteousness alone, to bring me close to God the Father. Do you have a good conscience? Amen. Dear old God, be with us, dear Lord. Cause our consciences to see you and your word, dear Lord, and be convicted of sin in that sense, dear Lord, knowing that it took you dying on that tree, dear Lord, for us. All these things we ask in Christ's name. Amen.

Good Conscience

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about conscience?

How do we know justification is true?

Why is having a good conscience important for Christians?

What does the Bible say about evil conscience?

How does the conscience relate to the law of God?

Sermon Transcript

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Good Conscience

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about conscience?

How do we know justification is true?

Why is having a good conscience important for Christians?

What does the Bible say about evil conscience?

How does the conscience relate to the law of God?

Sermon Transcript

Comments

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