Romans 6, 7 & 8 the one after the last part!

Conscience

I feel I should go into the conscience a bit. I don't really want to do a full study of it but just outline some generally accepted principles and then put some things straight!

The conscience is given a very high status in scripture. We are told to do all things for the sake of our conscience. Although the biologist would study the body and a psychologist would study behaviour and measurable aspects of our being. The Bible talks about us in ways that modern science doesn't. (Guess who I believe!!)

It is generally accepted that the conscience is the conduit that joins the our own human spirit and our soul. The Holy Spirit speaks to our spirit and when we have something in our soul (mind / emotions) that is against the Spirit then our conscience is alerted. If we keep ignoring our conscience then we can sear it so that it becomes numb.

Our consciences are as fallen as the rest of us, so we need to train our consciences and we do that through good bible teaching (emphasis on "Good" (and Bible!!))

If we want to be led by the spirit then it follows that we need to be attuned to how the Spirit communicates with us. We need to listen to our consciences and be ready and quick to follow them. If our conscience tells us something is right and we know it isn't then we need to obey our conscience. Why? Because we need to make sure that our conscience is not seared. If we ignore our conscience then we will sear it and it will go numb!

That said, I get really annoyed at Christians who say, "It's a matter of conscience!" or "Well my conscience is clear!" It is never just a matter of conscience, that is the biggest and most telling statement that a person doesn't really have a heart after God. I have seen some of the most evangelical people use the conscience as an excuse for whatever they want to indulge in.

The point is it is up to us, we have an obligation to be led by the Spirit and not by our fallen consciences! Haven't I just contradicted myself? No, the point here (and I'm on my soap box now!!) is that we do what our conscience says in order to keep ourselves attuned to them, but we then make sure we teach our consciences so that we sanctify them.

Let me give you an example: I want to watch a certain film. My Christian friends give me a hard time about it and tell me I shouldn't watch that kind of stuff as a Christian. Now if I do not watch it because they told me not to, then I am making them the authority and ignoring the Spirit speaking to me. And remember that young Christian get more slack than older ones! Remember what you were like! OK, so I now have a problem, my Christian friends are horrified that I am watching a certain film, but it doesn't give me a problem. What I need to do is sit down with them and listen to what they have to say. Not to be persuaded by them but to listen to the Spirit and listen to the word as they speak. Following that I need to go and find other people who have taught on that subject and see what they have to say. After studying the word on the matter and being open to the leading of the spirit, my conscience will be made more Holy. Now when I come to watch that film my conscience wont let me.

Of course, I do realise that sometimes people will tell us stuff that isn't on the naughty list. It is difficult, because there are times when we think people are from a different planet because of what they say, then ten years later God finally drums it into us! In nearly every area of theology there are extreme polar opposites. It isn't easy, that's why we shouldn't get stressed about it,. as long as we know we are close to God and that God is still speaking to us, then He can bring us revelation.

There are issues that I have had flags up over for years , still waiting for God to lead me one way or the other, however, until He does, it obviously isn't that important to God that I should go one way or the other! He is the author and finisher of our faith.