2 Corinthians 1:12
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. NIV
Previously, in our on-going pursuit of how to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth, we learnt that one of the biblical meanings of Truth concerns being genuine or sincere. We continue in that same vein today, by considering the role of our conscience in our relationship with God.
Conscience refers to our internal moral compass or moral standard. It is that part of our minds that tells us whether or not our actions are right or wrong. A well developed conscience can serve as an inner “alarm system”. Of course, on its own, your conscience is not an infallible guide.
That is the case because one’s conscience can be shaped by various social influences, such as parents, teachers, mentors, acculturation and instruction. That is why God’s Word instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, rather than being conformed to the mould of the world (Rom 12:2).
Thus, when you do not rely on human wisdom, but on the wisdom and grace of God, your conscience’s testimony is reliable. Then you cannot afford to suppress or violate the voice of your own conscience. You pay attention to your Spirit-led internal alarms.
In our relations with God and fellow men, and in all our actions, let us always respect the testimony of our Word-shaped, Spirit-informed and blood-washed conscience.
Pastor Josh