The Human Conscience Series: “The Four Types Of Consciences: A Good Conscience”

“The wicked flee when no man pursueth:

but the righteous are bold as a lion.”

(Prov 28:1)

 

The Scriptures help us to understand that there are four different types of consciences that exist within man:

1.  A Good Conscience
2.  A Strong Conscience
3.  A Weak Conscience
4.  An Evil Conscience

Along with identifying these types of consciences, we also find teachings concerning the identifying marks of these consciences and how to maintain, or develop, the types of conscience that the Lord is pleased with.  May the Lord bless us as we embark a voyage to study each type of these consciences by looking at a “Good” conscience…

THE SCRIPTURES:

Mat 6:22-23  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

Act 24:16  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

1Ti 1:3-6  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  (5)  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  (6)  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

1Ti 1:18-19  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;  (19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Heb 5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Heb 13:18  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

1Pe 3:14-17  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  (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:  (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.  (17)  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

THE STUDY:

The Characteristics Of A Good Conscience:

#1 – A Good Conscience fulfills it’s God-given roles

It keeps us on our God-given course of life…

1Ti 1:3-6  As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,  (4)  Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.  (5)  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  (6)  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

Paul instructs young pastor, Timothy, of the need to teach God’s Word while setting aside the teachings and practices of man.  Why? Because God’s Word alone edifies (builds up, strengthens) the faith of God’s people.  This is the ultimate goal of those who teach the Word. To present truth that will strengthen God’s people, encourage them to show genuine love for others and possess a sincere faith within.  Sad to say, there are some teachers of the Word who have turned aside to vain proclaimations of untruths, thereby defeating the very Godly purpose they have been given.

 

It leads us to consistent victories over temptation…

1Ti 1:18-19  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;  (19)  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

Paul hands to Timothy the responsibility to fight the “good fight of faith”.  Timothy was to do this by guarding and holding close faith and a good conscience, both of which are absolutely necessary to have an effective testimony for Christ.  Some have left their faith and conscience behind, and in doing so, have suffered a ruined testimony and have become ineffective witnesses for Christ.

 

It produces an honest lifestyle…

Heb 13:18  Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

The writer of Hebrews asks for the prayers of others.  The proof of the sincerity of their request is the fact they desired to live honest lives, which was proof of a properly functioning conscience.

 

It pushes us to witness of Christ and His goodness to others…

1Pe 3:14-17  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  (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:  (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.  (17)  For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

When we are mistreated due to our service to Christ, we are to be happy and not fearful.  We can know we are doing what the Lord would have us to do and therefore, He will bless us and use us as He sees fit.  During these times of troubles we are to set the Lord as number one in our life and be prepared to speak when others ask of about our faith.   This will lead to a pure conscience, which will encourage us to overlook the fault-finders and realize that they must answer for their abuse, while we will be guiltless before the Lord.  This is a lifestyle that is pleasing to God.

 

#2 – A Good Conscience testifies of truth of His Word 

It’s operations are based upon the light of God’s Word…

Mat 6:22-23  The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.  (23)  But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

When we receive the Word within us, our conscience uses it as the basis of its functioning, declaring the truth within us and causing our lives to be beacons of light to a lost and sin darkened world.

#3 – A Good Conscience  is exercised

It is used on a consistent basis…

Act 24:16  And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Paul consistently, put forth consistent effort to live so that he might have a clear conscience in his dealings with God and other men.

It finds its strength and effectiveness in its regular use….

Heb 5:13-14  For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.  (14)  But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Our conscience is like our muscles…. It must be steadily used to keep it toned and working properly.  Keeping our conscience working properly leads us to spiritual growth and maturity; which is shown by the ability to properly discern between good and evil.

Do We Have A Good Conscience?:

#1 – Do we find ourselves obeying the Word of God as a lifestyle?  (1 Tim 1:3-6; 1 Tim 1:18-19)
#2 – Are we sincere in what we do? (Heb 13:18)
#3 – Are we faithful, even when we are faced with opposition to our service? (1 Peter 3:14-17)
#4 – When convicted do we immediately correct the situation?  (Acts 24:16, Heb 5:13-14)

If we can answer “yes” to the above questions, we can rest assured that we possess a good, properly functioning conscience within us.

 

THE SUMMARY:

In this study we have seen…

The Characteristics Of A Good Conscience:

#1 – it fulfills its God-given roles
It keeps us on our God-given course of life…
It leads us to consistent victories over temptation…
It produces an honest lifestyle…
It pushes us to witness of Christ and His goodness to others…

#2 – it testifies of truth of His Word
Its operations are based upon the light of God’s Word…

#3 – it is exercised
It is used on a consistent basis…
It finds its strength and effectiveness in its regular use….

The Marks Of A Good Conscience:

#1 – Do we find ourselves obeying the Word of God as a lifestyle?
#2 – Are we sincere in what we do?
#3 – Are we faithful, even when we are faced with opposition to our service?
#4 – When convicted do we immediately correct the situation?

May the Lord bless us as we seek His truth.

For a free copy of this series in book form pdf version: please go to: https://settledinheaven.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/conscience.pdf

For a free copy of this series in book form docx version: please go to: https://settledinheaven.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/conscienceprotected.docx

Settled In Heaven Ministries Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com