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School Lesson Dr. Gary Berry; Pastor
May 26, 2013 Liberty Baptist Church
Charlotte, North Carolina
The Science of the Christian Life
The Science of Conscience
Introduction
v The word “conscience” comes from two words, con and science, which means “with knowledge”.
v Basically there are two ways which we are to learn what God wants us to do.
v Through the Bible, and the other is the Conscience. They both tell us what we are supposed to do.
I. The Conscience
A. Most of us depend too much on our conscience.
B. Ninety nine percent of the things the Holy Spirit leads us to do comes from the Bible.
C. Unfortunately, most Christians have a broken conscience and do not know how to fix it.
D. In the fall of man in the Garden of Eden the conscience of man was damaged, but not ruined.
E. This damage to man’s conscience in the Bible is called several things;
1. “An evil conscience”
Hebrews 10:22 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.
2. It is called “defiled”
Titus 1:15 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.
3. It is called “seared”.
I Timothy 4:1 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;
I Timothy 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
4. It is called “weak” and “defiled”.
I Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
5. It is called “weak”.
I Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
II. A Good Conscience
A. Just because our conscience is clear does not mean that it is right.
B. Our conscience has been broken by Sin.
C. So, if your conscience is clear, there is a good chance you are still wrong.
D. We have to get our conscience back in good repair.
E. Notice what the Bible calls a conscience that has been repaired; (a good conscience)
I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
I Timothy 1:18 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;
I Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
III. A Pure Conscience
I Timothy 3:9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
IV. A Purged Conscience
Hebrews 9:14 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?
A. Again, we have a fallen conscience and must get it back in shape so we’ll know what to do when we are faced with something that is not in the Bible.
B. If it is in the bible we must study to know what it says.
C. We rationalize away many things about which the Bible is very clear. That is wrong.
D. God NEVER contradicts His Word in our lives.
E. Tragically most Christians should not trust their consciences because they are still in their fallen form and in desperate need of repair.
V. How Can We Get Our Conscience In Good Shape?
A. Have a pure mind.
Titus 1:15 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.
1. If our minds are not pure, our consciences cannot be trusted.
2. Many Christians have so defiled their minds with the wickedness of this world that they cannot possibly have a healthy conscience.
3. If this is you, than you should go to others to tell you what you ought to do until your mind is cleaned up and your conscience is fixed.
4. Your conscience will lie to you if your mind is not pure.
B. Have Love
I Timothy 1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1. For a Christian to have a fixed conscience we must have love within our hearts.
2. Love will lead us to that which is right and pure.
3. Godly love is holy and unselfish; it will not seek that which the flesh wants.
C. Have Fight
I Timothy 1:18 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;
I Timothy 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1. God has called us to fight that which is evil.
2. Sin is trying to destroy us so we must fight it.
3. People who are not fighting sin are usually weak in all areas of their decision making.
4. Standards are those things our conscience tells us to have when we are fighting sin.
5. Older preachers who quit fighting hard against sin usually start dropping their standards.
D. Serve
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
1. The word exercise means, to serve.
2. If we are to get our conscience in shape, we must serve others.
3. There is no way we can serve God without serving people.
4. If we live to serve, our conscience will be directed to do what we do for others rather than for self.
5. If you want to have a strong conscience, get busy living for others.
E. Be Honest
Hebrews 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
1. If a person does not pay their own debts they cannot trust their own conscience.
2. A dishonest person has a broken conscience.
3. Your conscience will lie to you if you are not honest in other areas of your life.
F. Go Soul Winning
I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
I Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1. To have a strong conscience, we must be soul winners.
2. If you are not a soul winner, you must not trust your conscience.
3. Soul winning will work you over until it makes your conscience healthy again.
G. Endure Persecution
I Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1. A person with a right conscience must be the type of Christian who accepts the fact that we are going to be persecuted in this world.
2. The bible says that when we do right we will face persecution.
3. People who have a healthy conscience are people who keep on going for God even when they are under attack
H. Obey
I Peter 3:21 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:
1. When we reach the point where we are willing to obey whatever God wants us to do, our conscience is healthy.
2. A good way to tell if one has a healthy conscience is whether or not they obey God’s word in AL manners.
Conclusion
v We should not always trust our consciences
v Use this list above to evaluate your conscience; do not rely on how your conscience feels.
v You may have a clear conscience, but that does not mean that you have a healthy or trustworthy conscience.
v Your conscience is to be the co-worker with God’s Word to show you what is right and wrong.