What is “Conscience?” What purpose does it serve? Does everyone have it? Conscience is the English translation of the Latin word “conscientia” meaning knowledge. Conscience is described as “The inner sense of what is right or wrong in one’s conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action” (dictionary.com). Every human being is born with a God-given conscience. The word conscience occurs at least 31 times in the Bible.
There is hardly any reference to the conscience these days, unlike bygone days. Some time ago one would hear statements like these, “let conscience be your guide,” “do not stifle your conscience,” “where is your conscience,” or “you are speaking or acting like that because of a guilty conscience.” We have also heard this one, “I would like to do so-and-so, but my conscience would bother me.” “Conscience is the God-given inner voice that either accuses or excuses us in terms of what we do” (Thomas Aquinas (Philosopher, theologian 1225-1274)
Because of sin, peoples’ consciences have been effectively “destroyed” as they became less sensitive to the hurt they cause when they no longer have any interest in doing the right thing. This means that right becomes wrong and wrong becomes right. This type of behavior should be expected. In his letter to Timothy, Paul wrote, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1,2). “A seared or burnt conscience can be one that is beyond repair. It reflects a rejection of God’s truth” (Dr. Charles Stanley).
“Here is the supreme irony and tragedy of sin: the more we repeat our sins, the greater the guilt we incur, but the less sensitive we become to the pangs of guilt in our consciences. Paul says that people store up wrath for themselves on the day of wrath (Romans 2:5). That’s objective guilt — they are guilty because they have broken God’s law. But some people have so destroyed their consciences that they believe it really doesn’t matter what they do as long as it is consensual and they can see no harm. Their subjective guilt — their feeling or sense of guilt that accompanies wrongdoing — diminishes.” (Article by R.C. Sproul, Founder, Ligonier Ministries).
It is appalling to the highest degree that some of our elected officials (including former presidents) who previously took the right stand and publicly declared that “marriage is between one man and one woman,” have actually changed their previous position in favor of same sex marriage. Also, others who believed in the sanctity of life and that abortion is morally wrong have changed their positions. And, as we are aware, the intent was for political expediency. Here is another example of a “defiled” conscience. A defiled conscience gives rise to a corrupt and immoral individual who has become self-satisfied with no regrets for doing wrong. No wonder Paul wrote to Titus, “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” (Titus 1:15).
After his conversion, the apostle Paul was completely devoted to God. His intent and purpose was to live as God expected of him. With such strong devotion to God, Paul could easily declare his integrity when he said, “I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:16). Note these words, “a conscience without offense toward God and men.” On another occasion Paul said, “I have lived in all good conscience before God“ (Acts 23:1). So much of life depends on our consciences, which prompts us to distinguish right from wrong and good from evil. Would to God we could become more and more like Paul.