the role of conscience

what does the Bible each about humans?

because they are made in the image of God, they have an innate sense of right and wrong

what are humans able to do in situations?

able to view life situations in a moral or ethical light and to judge that some actions are ‘right’ or ‘wrong’

what is the ability called when you are able to judge something as right and others as wrong?

conscience

what do Christians believe about their conscience?

it is informed both by the Bible and the work of the Holy Spirit. When they violate the standards that they believe are expected of them, they experience guilt

what are Christians called to then do?

confess their sin ands experience God’s forgiveness

what happens when the conscience is repeatedly ignored?

one’s sensitivity to moral issues becomes desensitised and one goes along with things one knows to be wrong

what can conscience also become?

overly sensitive, condemning the believer’s for normal human failures and leading to false guilt

what is illuminated by the Holy Spirit?

the Christian’s goal to develop a mature conscience

what is the Bible clear on?

that believers must have their conscience informed by God

what must Christians therefore satisfy?

themselves that their moral behaviour satisfies their conscience and will not cause guilt

what does 1 Timothy 1:5 state?

‘The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.’

what does 2 Corinthians 1:12 state?

‘Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.’