Conscience As A Guide? Part 2 of 2 By Jeff Smith
(Reprinted from The Watchman Magazine http://www.watchmanmag.com/)
Some have a form of conscience, but it is not truly instructed out of God's word. It is ultimately ungodly, although it may appear just in the measure of the world. The humanistic conscience is probably the most common form of conscience today, and basically, it possesses some fine qualities. It gets very fuzzy around the edges, however, and actually overturns Bible morality if necessary to maintain anyone's self-esteem. The humanistic conscience makes subjective judgments based on situation ethics (e.g., lying is generally wrong but is sanctioned to save someone's feelings or hide an embarrassing mistake). The humanistic conscience is constantly drifting further from the Bible because every individual is empowered to stretch it as he feels necessary.
Some ungodly consciences are even beyond this. They are seared as with a hot branding iron, past feeling the pangs of a godly conscience at all anymore (Ephesians 4:17-19; c.f. 1 Timothy 4:1-2). These commit sin without regard to conscience or God's law, for they no longer can care (Romans 8:7). They feel no remorse, except for getting caught, and are completely untrustworthy. As branding an animal kills the nerves in that flesh, so a person who violates God's will repeatedly dulls the senses against feeling the power of rebuke in the conscience.
For this cause is the first foray into sin a serious matter and not so easily dismissed as harmless experimentation. For example, one can witness this gradual spiritual decay in those who grow to forsake the assembling over time. They begin by skipping Wednesday class just once for a concert, progress to skipping it altogether, and graduate to trimming parts off of the Lord's Day to pamper themselves. Sunday night becomes their television time. Sunday morning is mattress-hugging time. At first, it felt a little sickening to skip services; now it doesn't hurt at all. Sin, if repeated often enough, becomes its own addiction and anesthesia.
In the process of developing an ungodly conscience, a person often takes a cleansed conscience and gradually defiles it by refusing on occasion to obey its dictates (Titus 1:15). A conscience is defiled by knowing the right thing to do and choosing evil instead (James 4:17); this is the process of branding a conscience with a hot iron until it is beyond feeling and therefore useless. The good conscience is reshaped into something most ungodly over time by justifying sinful behavior as unavoidable or ultimately beneficial to men. Ungodly consciences are made by exploiting weaknesses of faith.
We however covet that conscience which is godly, disciplined
by the word of God and able to overcome the wiles of the devil
to do the right thing. Such a conscience feels the pangs of guilt
when sin is committed or considered and is deeply motivated to
do what it discerns is best. This conscience is trustworthy as
an "inner voice" which one can hear and generally follow.
A godly conscience demands constant labor to be pure in God's
sight and yet it must be carefully guarded from worldly influence
lest it also be defiled. "This being so, I myself always
strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men"
(Acts 24:16). A godly conscience is threatened by peer pressure,
sin-filled entertainment and the prevailing opinion that iniquity
in moderation in a preferable compromise between extreme evil
and extreme holiness.
Don't trust your conscience unless it reflects objectively
the will of God. And even then, constantly examine it to make
sure it has not strayed (2 Corinthians 13:5).
Learning Contentment by W. Frank Walton (devotional@biblical-insights.org)
"I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I
am….I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"
(Phil 4:11-13).
Paul wrote from a Roman prison about contentment. This wasn't
an instant lesson learned. This sounds amazing because Paul had
been one of the most active, wide-ranging preachers in the early
church. Yet, over time, he learned "contentment" (Gr.
autarkes, lit. self-sufficiency or self-contentment). He borrowed
a popular term in use by Stoic philosophy. Paul wasn't speaking
the language of Ashdod here, but simply redefining the word properly
as "Christ-sufficiency" (cf. Phil 4:13). We need to
learn contentment in our restless, grasping age.
I saw this principle exemplified in my deceased Aunt, Sheila Corley.
When I was a little boy, I remember running outside one summer
evening with her trying to catch me. She stopped and said her
legs were numb. After a doctor's visit, she discovered she had
Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.).
She was a Christian, and I remember she still came to church
but she had to use a cane to walk. Then, as the M.S. worsened,
she came having to use a walker. Later, I remember she came faithfully
to church in a wheel chair. Finally, she couldn't come to church
anymore. She died some years later in a nursing home. When I would
visit her in the nursing home, she was unable to move any part
of her body, except her head. She couldn't talk. She could only
turn her head...and smile. I never ever heard her say one bitter
or self-pitying remark about her disease that struck her down
in the prime of her life.
At her 20th High School reunion, she wrote these words to be read
to her former classmates:
Glad you can make it back after 20 years. We left a lot of memories
here. How many can remember the outdoor "John" by the
fence, the one they placed on the front porch of the school every
Halloween?...Mr. Neal taught us "pie R square," but
I still think it is round....
What have I been doing for 20 years? I went to work at the bank
in 1962...if you're wondering what happened to your money. Ha!
I married in 1965 and in 1968 I began developing the symptoms
of Multiple Sclerosis. In 1970 the blessed event of my son's arrival
came when I needed him most. As he progressed, so did my illness.
Through diapers, bottles, cuddles and coos, sprinkled with a little
spoiling, we made it like any other family.
Don't any of you feel sorry for poor Sheila. My illness has given
me insight into the things that are really important in life.
It's not the mansion on the hill, or the fine car in the driveway
or anything of monetary value, but its things like a friend stopping
by to chat, appreciating a beautiful sunset created by God, or
my son saying, "Mommy, I love you."
"If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31).
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me (Matt 10:29-31).
So...
STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES!
Love,
Sheila Corley (born 1944 - died 1994)
No Problem - Author Unknown (Reprinted from The Beacon)
When a person is eager to learn the way of salvation and is
willing to accept the word of God as the final authority, there
is no problem in teaching him what to do to be saved. When differences
arise among brethren and all have a humble attitude, and there
is a sincere desire for peace and unity, and all parties want
to follow God's word, the settlement is no problem.
When a person genuinely believes that Jesus is the Son of God
and wants to yield in submission to Christ, once he is shown the
Lord commands baptism for the remission of sins, because he is
honest and longs to go to heaven, there is no problem getting
him to be baptized.
When a worshiper comes into the assembly with the right attitude
of heart, there is no problem if the song leader misses the pitch
on one of the hymns or if the building is too cold, or if the
janitor has missed some cobwebs over the pulpit.
Many of the problems that arise are the bitter fruit of improper
thinking.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT… (Reprinted from The Beacon)
10,000 people were asked, "What was responsible for you
coming to the
Lord and this church?" They replied:
2% I had a special need
3% I just walked in
6% I like the minister
1% I visited here by chance
5% I like the Bible classes
1/2% I attended a gospel meeting
3% I like the programs
79% a friend or relative invited me
-via Institute for American Church Growth
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
JULY MONTHLY BIBLE READING: Exodus
GOSPEL MEETING: Alan Irwin will be presenting a series of sermons each evening July 14-19, Sunday at 6:00 PM, each weeknight at 7:00 PM.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to,
the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com