FORMING OUR CONSCIENCE

M.G. Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines conscience: “That faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall (or sin).”

Even cavemen and cavewomen know about this ‘faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong.’ One cannot go to another’s cave and steal tacos, beer, women/men, money, or a pet tyrannosaurus. Someone will take a club or rock and pop you on the head.

The conscience though is not formed completely by morality because we can determine our own morality. It is not completely formed by our will because sooner or later will power will fail us. Education and experience cannot completely form our conscience because thinking and reason are something we shape.

I think our conscience is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. With the direction and leading of the Spirit combined with instruction of scripture we form and educate our conscience to be as Godly as possible for our thinking, actions and behavior. Then we say with the apostle Paul, “I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”

“But an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God.” Jesus