The Christian and Conscience

by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr.

The scriptures speak of the conscience 28 to 31 times, depending on the translation. Different word authorities put the definition in different words, but the definition of Dictionary.com pretty well states the idea expressed by most definitions:

“The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one’s conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action.”
It seems to be a sense of “ought” and “ought not;” or “right” and “wrong” that God made an integral part of the human psyche that is needed to push one in the direction of what he believes to be right.

The conscience is a great moral and spiritual navigator, but an awfully poor map. The advice often given, “Let your conscience by your guide,” is not the best advice. The best advice is, “search the Scriptures daily to see if the things are so,” and then conscientiously follow the “things that are so.” (Acts 17:11). Saul of Tarsus was able to persecute Christians with a good conscience (Acts 23:1), because he verily thought that it was the thing he ought to do (Acts 26:9). The conscience can only react to what one THINKS to be right or wrong.

Though one cannot blindly follow his conscience, he still must always follow it. But, you say, that contradicts what you have just said. No, it is just that one must make sure that which the conscience feeds on is the objective truth revealed in the Scriptures and not his own subjective views or that of some other person. Even after one has intelligently determined the truth from the Scriptures, he still needs a sensitive conscience to push him in the direction revealed in the Scriptures and to pull him back when he errs from that direction.

For this reason the Scriptures seems to go out their way to keep the conscience tender and responsive under all circumstances. We are warned against violating our consciences and not to try to influence others to violate theirs (Rom. 14 and 1 Cor. 8). It is important that the conscience be not seared or dulled (1 Tim. 4:2). This is likely what happened to those who Peter said, “cannot cease from sin.” (2 Pet. 2:14). The conscience must be kept tender. Continually overriding it hardens it. That is why that even in doubtful things we must not override our doubts. To do so is sin. (Rom. 14:23). Not only must we not override our doubts, we must not say or do things that would put others in a position, in order to please us, that they would have to override their conscientious doubts. Love for our brethren demands this. So, we must both protect our consciences and that of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It might be that further study of the word of God might settle those doubts and our love for others would suggest such study. But as long as a brother’s doubt persists, even if I have no doubts about the matter at hand, love for my brother demands that I help him keep a good conscience.

Now, we are not speaking of those things that Scriptures and conscience say that must be done. In those things one must do them regardless of the effect it has on others. But, we are talking about that area of things that one has the LIBERTY to do (authorized liberties), but does not have the OBLIGATION to do. It is something that one may do or not do and still have a good conscience toward God – while at the same time a dear brother cannot do and is grieved at our doing it. Should not love override our freedom in such cases.

“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)

 

 

Other Articles by Edward O. Bragwell, Sr. 
Be Careful With The Blame Game
Is Unrestricted Loyalty a Virtue?
A New Dogma
How to Raise a Heartache
The Right Baptism
Standing Alone