RESPONDING IN GOOD CONSCIENCE – Part 2
Friday, October 18, 2013
Pope Francis wrote “The question for those who do not
believe in God is to follow their own conscience. Sin, even for a non-believer,
is when one goes against one’s conscience.”
“The conscience is defined as that part of the human
psyche that induces mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate it and
feelings of pleasure and well-being when our actions, thoughts and words are in
conformity to our value systems. The Greek word translated “conscience” in all
New Testament references is suneidēsis, meaning “moral awareness” or “moral
consciousness.” The conscience reacts when one’s actions, thoughts, and words
conform to, or are contrary to, a standard of right and wrong.”
Sin: (חטּאת, ḥaṭṭā'th, “a missing,” עון, 'wōn, “perversity” פּשׁע, pesh‛, “transgression,” רע, r‛, “evil,” etc.; ἁμαρτανα, hamartano, “miss the mark,” παράβασις, parábasis, “transgression” with a suggestion of violence, ἀδικία, adikı́a, “injustice,” “unrighteousness”):
[From ISBE]
Psalm
[MKJV] 119:11 I have hidden Your Word in my heart, so that I might not sin
against You.
John [MKJV] 1:1; 17:14-17 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . I
have given them Your Word, and the world has hated them because they are not of
the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I do not pray for You to take them
out of the world, but for You to keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of
the world, even as I am not of the world. 17
Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth. [Please note
that therecord in chapter one was in
early ministry of Jesus. Chapter 17 was near the end of His physical walk among
men.]
Conscience is
undependable resource for guidance for of itself it is short of the glory
(mind, character, dignity, honor, reputation)of God. Our base nature is sinful.
Without personal John 1:12 relationship, kingdom sight of John 3:3, and ongoing
Romans 12:1-3 fellowship . . . our conscience is without solid foundation.
Jesus explained this in Matthew 7:24-29; The wise person builds their
conscience upon The Rock!
For those of us
that believe God, conscience is more reliable to direct in correct living. The
Apostle Paul explained this to the sin-soaked Corinthian believers. (Christian
conduct is the general theme of Paul’s first letter. He begins by reminding
them of their redeemed position in God’s grace; then contrasts their
unspiritual state contrary to right living; points out man’s wisdom, conscience,
apart from God’s wisdom is foolishness.)
Though “conscience”
the word is not found throughout The Word, the theme certainly is. As matter of
fact the longest chapter in God’s Word answers Why? What? Where? When? How?
Who? . . . having to do with good conscience.
EBB4
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