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Is Conscience a Safe Guide?

Is Conscience a Safe Guide?

 

     In a morally pluralistic society, where confused morals and ethics abound, it is not uncommon to hear people say things like, “just let your conscience be your guide” or “just listen to the little voice inside you.” By this, they mean the voice inside (conscience) will give them the right answer and help decide the best course of action. Is this true, though, that one can always rely on their conscience to give right information?”
    
      The English word ‘conscience’ is related to the Latin conscientia (Jackson, 35). The basic idea of conscientia is “a knower with.” When our actions harmonize with what our conscience believes to be right, it knows and approves us. When we violate what our conscience believes to be right, it knows and condemns us, causing feelings of guilt.
    
     Notice that the conscience approves or condemns based upon what it believes to be right. Someone may commit an act that is objectively wrong, but if they believe it is right, their conscience will approve them. The apostle Paul, before becoming a Christian, tried to demolish the church of Christ. He persecuted Christians furiously (Acts 22:4-5; 26:9-11). Years later though, after becoming a Christian, he told a Jewish council that he had “lived in all good conscience before God until this day” (Acts 23:1). The point to be taken is this: Paul’s persecution of Christians was part of what he did with a good conscience (Acts 7:58). Paul’s own life makes it obvious that conscience is not always a safe guide.
    
    To be a safe guide, the conscience must be trained properly. Such training only comes from a thorough study and proper understanding of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Feelings have a tendency to lead people astray (Proverbs 14:12; 28:26; Jeremiah 17:9), but God’s Word is able to save our souls (James 1:21). We invite you to come study the Savior’s words with us this Sunday. Until then, may God bless you.
    
 
     Works Cited
 
Jackson, Wayne. Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy. Stockton, CA: Courier Publications, 2002.