IT'S A REAL THING
ROMANS 9:1 NKJV
I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit,
There is a phrase that I have not heard in many years, and yet, it is still relevant. Let your conscience be your guide.
This is a phrase worth mentioning because, as a believer, our conscience can be a great safety system.
Jesus did not speak directly about the conscience, but it was referenced in the story of the woman taken in adultery. When Jesus said that the accusers without sin should throw stones, His words hit home. The accusers, being convicted by their own conscience, left the scene. (John 8:9)
So their conscience convicted them, and they left. Our conscience can be a great warning bell in our hearts. Jesus did not convict these men. It was their conscience that witnessed to them that they were not sinless.
The apostle Paul is the writer who speaks most often about the conscience. He said he served God with a pure conscience. He told Timothy that three things were important. Love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and sincere faith.
Paul placed a strong emphasis on having a conscience that was good, pure, and without offense toward God and man. This inward knowing will let us know when we are on the right path or on the wrong path. So we can understand why Paul focused here.
In 1 Timothy 4:2, Paul spoke of people who, because of sin, have seared their conscience with a hot iron. Anything seared in that way will no longer be sensitive and no longer safe.
When Paul stated that he was not lying and his conscience was bearing him witness in the Holy Spirit, he was saying he was all clear on the inside. Nothing nagging at him. The Holy Spirit was also in agreement that what he was speaking was true and right.
APPLICATION:
Our conscience is a real thing. Think of it like a warning light in a vehicle. When the low tire pressure light comes on or the check engine light flashes red, it's not wise to ignore those warnings.
When our conscience is convicting us, the wise thing to do is stop and see what's sticking us on the inside. When our spiritual check engine light comes on, it's time to pay attention. It's a good thing living with a good conscience before God and man.