Page 76 - Christ and Culture Textbook

The conscience is not the ultimate authority in the life a Christian
We are called to have the mind of Christ, to know the good, and to have our minds and hearts trained
by God’s truth so that when the moment of pressure comes, we will be able to stand with integrity.
Conscience is a critical inner awareness that bears witness to the norms and values we recognize and
apply. The complex of values with which conscience deals includes not only those we own, but the
entire range of values to which we are exposed during life’s journey. Consequently, there is always a
sense of struggle in our reflective process. The witness of conscience makes its presence known by
inducing mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate the values we recognize and apply.
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Conscience also provides a sense of pleasure when we reflect on conformity to our value system.

Rom. 2:14-16 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these,
not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their
hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.

Rom. 13:5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for
conscience’ sake.

1 Cor. 4:4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who
examines me is the Lord.

Rom. 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit.

2 Cor. 1:12 For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly
sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and
especially toward you.

2 Cor. 4:2 but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or
adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s
conscience in the sight of God.

2 Cor. 5:11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to
God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences.

1 Tim. 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere
faith.

1 Tim. 4:2 …by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully
shared in by those who believe and know the truth.

1 Cor. 8:7 However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now,
eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

33 Gary T. Meadors, “Conscience,” Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Baker Reference Library
(Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996), 113.

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