We experience the condition or feelings of guilt because we have this amazing internal awareness that was gifted to all of us by God. It is imprinted on the heart and mind of every person. The Bible calls it our conscience. The dictionary defines it this way:
(1) the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action; (2) the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhabits the actions or thoughts of an individual; (3) an inhibiting sense of what is prudent.
That does not help me too much to explain what my conscience is, it's purpose and function, or why God gave it to me. But from Scripture I learn that it serves several functions and operates on multiple levels. For example, my conscience is active when I am being observed by other people and is active in a different manner when no one can see me. Of course, Christians know that Someone (e.g. the Lord) is always watching.
Searching through a Bible concordance, the word is used numerous times, and we learn it's meaning, uses, and warnings through the ways it is taught by the Holy Spirit. Positively, the Bible speaks of:
-a good conscience (Acts 23:1; I Tim 1:5,19; I Pet 3:16)
-a clear conscience (I Tim 3:9; Heb 13:18)
-a witnessing conscience in the Holy Spirit (Rom 9:1)
-a submissive conscience (Rom 13:5)
-an informed conscience (I Cor 10:28)
Conversely, the Bible speaks of:
-a conscience that accuses us or that we weaponize to excuse ourselves (Rom 2:15)
-an evil conscience (Heb 10:22) from which we can be cleansed
-a defiled conscience (I Cor 8:7; Titus 1:15)
-a conscience of dead works (Heb 9:14) which can be purified to serve the Lord
-a seared conscience (I Tim 4:2)
-a weak conscience (I Cor 8:10,12)
Rather than a dictionary definition, the word's use in Scripture is more helpful for our understanding. Reading down the list we can learn and apply some obvious spiritual truths. A conscience can be "good", guided by God's Spirit and Holy Scripture. A conscience can be "clear", when we live consistently in public and in private, and from one audience to another. A conscience "witness"es or affirms that we are speaking and acting upon the truth. A conscience can be "submissive" to the ways of the Lord, keeping our pride and self-sufficiency in check. A conscience can be informed by the truth of Scripture and by the limitations and stumbling blocks of immature believers. That's why we don't ignore, deny, or disobey our conscience, nor do we use our growth in Christ to lord over those who are immature and judgmental, because they lack a Bible-based worldview. Growth in Christ takes plenty of Scripture, instruction and mentoring in His ways, prayer, experiences with Him, and time; until then, our conscience can deceive us, but we heed it regardless.
Next article: our conscience accuses or exposes us
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