Category Archives: Conscience

Quote reading 'A clear conscience is the most comfortable pillow, finding peace within' with decorative floral and celestial elements
Bible, Conscience, Romans, Scripture, Subjection, Submission

FOR THE SAKE OF CONSCIENCE

ROMANS 13:5

“Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.”

Do you want to have a clear conscience? Then do what is right and good in God’s eyes. It’s really that simple. Does having a clear conscience make things easier for you? Not necessarily. People struggle all the time with their conscience. Most of those struggles are because they are not leaning on the Word of God. We know how it can guide and strengthen us. Let’s see what Paul says about this in today’s verse.

Man, I am sure this statement, “it is necessary to be in subjection,” really didn’t sit well with the readers of this letter to the Romans. What?! We should be in subjection to this tyrannical government that has enslaved us? I cannot imagine what that was like. I have read about the circumstances but that does not do it justice. However, Paul, who lived in that same circumstance, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes “it is necessary.” But let’s concentrate on the last phrase of today’s verse, “but also for the sake of conscience.”

APPLICATION

Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible says this “sake of conscience” means “to keep conscience clear, to exercise a good one void of offence towards God and men; for natural reason, conscience itself, dictates that there ought to be such order among men, that civil government should take place, and ought to be submitted to.” Did you catch that? “Void of offence towards God and men.” As followers of Christ, we are to try to avoid conflicts with others and God. That is done best by doing what is good. That’s been Paul’s guidance for the past few verses.

Paul gives a lengthy example of this in 1 Corinthians 10:25-33. You need to read this in context to get what Paul is saying. “25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience; 26 FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. 28 But if anyone says to you, ‘This is meat sacrificed to idols,’ do not eat it, for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience; 29 Now by ‘conscience’ I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered about that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32 Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God; 33 just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.”

There it is – “so that they may be saved.” That is why we submit to authority. That is why we avoid conflicts and try our best to not cause an offense. We want all to come to Christ and experience a glorious salvation. Keep your conscience clear by doing what is good and thereby, leading others to Jesus.

O Lord, it is hard sometimes to avoid conflicts, but for the sake of conscience I will strive to do that.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Conscience, Romans, Scripture, Truth

MY CONSCIENCE

ROMANS 9:1

“I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,”

We begin the second half of this letter to the Romans today with a confession by Paul saying he is “telling the truth.” It is only appropriate that he brings up his conscience when he says that. Doesn’t your conscience (I hate trying to spell that word, lol) bother you when you lie? And before you get all high and mighty, we have all lied at some point in our lives. God gave us our conscience to help guide us. But if we are not forming our thoughts and intentions according to His Word, our conscience isn’t offended when we lie to ourselves or others.

Paul uses the Greek word syneídēsis which comes from sýn, (together with) and eídō (to know, see). It literally means “joint-knowing.” HELPS Word-studies says it means this. “Conscience which joins moral and spiritual consciousness as part of being created in the divine image. Accordingly, all people have this God-given capacity to know right from wrong because each is a free moral agent.” I like that. We all have this capacity, but do we follow it?

APPLICATION

Paul uses this word earlier in Romans 2:15 and then once again in Romans 13:5, but I really like how he uses it in his letters to Timothy. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul writes, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.” Again in 1 Timothy 1:19 he uses it. “keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Once more in 1 Timothy 3:9 we see it used. “but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.” In 2 Timothy 1:3, Paul writes to his “beloved son,” “I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,…”

What a display of the use of this word, syneídēsis, to show its importance to us as followers of Christ. We need to be walking in such a way that our conscience is clear and good. When we have a bad or seared conscience, we are taken out of the race. Remember what Hebrews 12:1 says, “…let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us,…” Keep your conscience clear and pure.

But how am I suppose to do that, Carl? Glad you asked. Stay on your knees. Pray! Read His Word! Encourage others in their walk. Find an ally to walk with you and hold you accountable when you stray. The devil knows your triggers and will pull that trigger every chance he gets. He knows a bad conscience hinders a believer and sidelines him. Read Romans 12:2 today and do what it says.

Cleanse my conscience today of any intention to do evil. Help me live today to honor You in everything I think, say and do.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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