Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of conscience is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the inner sense of right and wrong that guides human behavior. The term "conscience" is derived from the Latin "conscientia," meaning "with knowledge." In the biblical context, it refers to the God-given ability to discern moral and ethical choices, often acting as an internal witness to one's actions and thoughts.
Old Testament ContextWhile the specific term "conscience" is not explicitly used in the Old Testament, the concept is present. The Hebrew Scriptures often speak of the "heart" as the seat of moral and spiritual life. For example, in
1 Samuel 24:5, David's heart smote him after he cut off a piece of Saul's robe, indicating an inner conviction of wrongdoing. Similarly, in
Psalm 51:10, David prays, "Create in me a clean heart, O God," reflecting a desire for a pure conscience.
New Testament ContextThe New Testament provides a more explicit treatment of the conscience. The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the role of conscience in the believer's life. In
Romans 2:15, Paul writes, "They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them." Here, conscience is depicted as an innate moral compass, even among those who do not have the Law.
In
1 Timothy 1:5, Paul emphasizes the importance of a good conscience, stating, "The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith." A clear conscience is integral to Christian love and faith, serving as a guide for ethical living.
Conscience and Christian LibertyThe issue of conscience is particularly relevant in discussions of Christian liberty. In
1 Corinthians 8 and
Romans 14, Paul addresses matters of personal conviction, such as eating food offered to idols. He advises believers to act according to their conscience while being mindful of others' consciences. In
1 Corinthians 8:12, he warns, "When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ." Thus, the conscience is not only a personal guide but also a communal responsibility.
The Defiled and Seared ConscienceThe New Testament also warns against a defiled or seared conscience. In
Titus 1:15, Paul states, "To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, both their minds and consciences are defiled." A defiled conscience results from persistent sin and unbelief, leading to moral insensitivity.
Similarly, in
1 Timothy 4:2, Paul speaks of those whose consciences are "seared as with a hot iron," indicating a state of moral callousness. This condition results from habitual sin and false teaching, rendering the individual insensitive to moral truth.
The Cleansing of the ConscienceThe cleansing of the conscience is a central theme in the New Testament, particularly in the context of Christ's redemptive work.
Hebrews 9:14 declares, "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works, so that we may serve the living God!" The sacrificial death of Christ purifies the conscience, enabling believers to serve God with sincerity and truth.
In
1 Peter 3:21, baptism is described as "the pledge of a good conscience toward God," signifying the believer's commitment to a life of righteousness and obedience. Through faith in Christ, the conscience is renewed and aligned with God's will.
Practical ImplicationsThe conscience plays a vital role in the believer's daily life, guiding ethical decisions and fostering spiritual growth. Christians are called to maintain a clear conscience before God and others, as Paul testifies in
Acts 24:16, "So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." This involves regular self-examination, repentance, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
In summary, the biblical understanding of conscience encompasses both an innate moral awareness and a divinely informed guide for righteous living. It is a crucial aspect of the believer's relationship with God, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in shaping moral character and conduct.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 13:18Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Topicalbible.org1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
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1 Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.
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1 Peter 3:16
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.
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Titus 1:15
To the pure all things are pure: but to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
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1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
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Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
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Greek
4893. suneidesis -- consciousness, spec.conscience...conscience. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: suneidesis Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-i'-day-sis) Short Definition: the
conscience Definition: the
...3053. logismos -- a reasoning, a thought
... imagination, thought. From logizomai; computation, ie (figuratively) reasoning
(conscience, conceit) -- imagination, thought. see GREEK logizomai....
2743. kauteriazo -- sear with a hot iron.
... endings.". 2743 ("seared") is used only in 1 Tim 4:2: "By means of the
hypocrisy of liars in their ownconscience (2743 )" (). 2743...
3852. paraggelia -- an instruction, a command
... See 3853 (). 1 Tim 1:5: "But the goal of our (3852 ) is love from a pure
heart and a goodconscience and a sincere (4102 )" ()....
5180. tupto -- to strike, smite, beat
... or rhapizo with the palm; as well as from tugchano, an accidental collision); by
implication, to punish; figuratively, to offend (theconscience) -- beat, smite...
771. asthenema -- an infirmity
... infirmity. From astheneo; a scruple ofconscience -- infirmity. see GREEK astheneo.
(asthenemata) -- 1 Occurrence. 770, 771. asthenema. 772 . Strong's Numbers
3510. nephros -- a kidney, fig. the (inmost) mind
... Philo (about ad 50) applied this term to "the emotions driving theconscience,"
ie . [The also used 3510 () this way when translating OT 3629 ("kidneys").]....
Strong's Hebrew
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart... 1), bravest* (1), brokenhearted* (3), care* (2), celebrating* (1), chests* (1),
completely* (1), concern* (1), concerned* (1),
conscience (1), consider* (2
...Library
WhetherConscience be a Power?
... OF THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whetherconscience be a
power?... ad lit. xii, 7,24). Thereforeconscience is a power....
Conscience.
... THE VALUE OF A PRAYING MOTHER CHAPTER VI.CONSCIENCE. One day when Bessie...
of danger. What isconscience? I don't understand." "My dear...
Struggles ofConscience
... Struggles ofConscience. A Sermon (No.336). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, September
22nd, 1860, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. at Exeter Hall, Strand....
Herod --A StartledConscience
... HEROD"A STARTLEDCONSCIENCE.... I. You have here the voice of a startledconscience.
Herod killed John without much sense of doing wrong....
"OnConscience"
... Second Series Sermon 105 "OnConscience". "For our rejoicing is this, the
testimony of ourconscience." 2:Cor.1:12. 1. How few words...
The Love of the People, theConscience of the Citizen...
... VI. The love of the People, theconscience of the citizen? The love of
the People, theconscience of the citizen, the sentiment...
A PeacefulConscience.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 432. " A PeacefulConscience. 432. LM Cotton. A Peaceful
Conscience. 1 While some in folly's pleasures roll...
The Law of ChristianConscience.
... SERMONS. XVI. THE LAW OF CHRISTIANCONSCIENCE. Preached January 25,
1852. THE LAW OF CHRISTIANCONSCIENCE. "Howbeit there...
A GoodConscience
... SERMON III. A GOODCONSCIENCE. 1 Peter iii.21. The like... Son? Has he not aconscience,
a spirit in him which knows good from evil? holiness...
Of the Examination ofConscience, and Purpose of Amendment
... THE FOURTH BOOK. OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER VII Of the examination of
conscience, and purpose of amendment. The Voice of the Beloved...
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