Introduction: Do you ever have trouble keeping your conscience under control? Managing your conscience is somewhat like keeping kudzu under control. I once served a church in a small rural community in Mississippi. Behind the church building there was a large patch of kudzu. We were continually struggling to control its spread. We had to cut it three or four times a summer. Our consciences are also a struggle to manage.
Illustration: Consider this example. A man said his daddy used to read the comics to him on Sundays. “One of the main characters in the comic strip was a guy named Willie. In one strip, he’s slumped in front of the television set with a coffee cup resting on his pot belly as he flicks his cigar ashes into his cup. He says to his wife, ‘you’re awful quiet this morning, Mamie.’ And she says in return, ‘Willie, I’ve decided to let your conscience be your guide on your day off.’
Next scene, Willie is surrounded by a lawnmower and an edger and a hoe and a shovel and he’s frantically washing the windows and muttering, ‘Every time I listen to that dumb thing I end up ruinin’ my relaxin’.’”
(Charles R. Swindoll, quoting Jerry White, Honesty, Morality, and Conscience, Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes, (Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1998), 117.)
We can all relate. Each of us have experienced struggles with our conscience. Our conscience can be both good and bad. Let me give you a few examples. First, let’s see how our conscience can be good.
Example: Our conscience can uphold us when we struggle spiritually. Paul encouraged Timothy to “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, seek a good conscience” (I Tim. 1:19 NKJV). As Timothy faced these struggles Paul encouraged him to keep a clear conscience.
Example: Our conscience can be a source of encouragement when others attack us. At one time in his ministry Paul was being severely attacked by his enemies. He said “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’’ (Acts 23:1 NKJV)
Example: Our conscience can protect us from temptation. In Gen. 39:7-12 we find Joseph was sexually tempted by his bosses wife. Joseph followed his conscience and resisted the temptation. Because of his resolve he developed a stronger testimony for God. Someone has said “It is a beautiful idea that every man has within a Guardian Angel: and that it is true, too, for conscience is ever on the watch, ever ready to warn us of danger.” Anonynous
Our conscience can also display a bad side.
Example: Our conscience can fuel paranoia. “The wicked flee when no one pursues” (Prov. 28:1 NKJV)
Example: Our conscience can be hardened. Paul says there are some people “having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.” (I Tim. 4:2 NKJV)
Example: Our conscience can drive us to self destruct. “Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, ‘I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.’’ And they said, ‘What is that to us? You see to it!’’ Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.” (Mt. 27:3-5 NKJV)
So, our consciences are not altogether good or bad. Billy Graham said “Most of us follow our conscience as we follow a wheelbarrow. We push it in front of us in the direction we want to go.” The issue is managing it properly.
God has given us the resources for managing our consciences. What are those resources? In I John 3:18-21 those resources are described. 18My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. 19This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. 20It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. 21And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! 22We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. 23Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. (TMSG) In this passage we find four resources for managing our conscience.
1. Resource one: Whatever you do let your actions be motivated out of Love. " My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."(3:18 NKJV)
Illustration: In I Cor. 8 we find a good illustration of this principle. Paul discussed the eating of meat that had been sacrificed to animals. The question that had been raised: Is it proper to eat meat that was left after the blood was used in sacrifice to an idol. Paul’s instruction was that such eating was okay. There is nothing morally wrong with it. However, if this practice causes someone else to stumble then I should avoid such practices. Let love be the guiding principle. Based on this principle, what should be our decision concerning the following actions?
-speaking rudely to another person
-social drinking
-cursing
-being critical of another person
Illustration: Reader’s Digest has a section entitled “Life in the United States.” Several years ago a man wrote to share an experience that occurred in his family. He said his mother and father were having an argument. In the middle of the argument his father suggested that they each get a piece of paper and make a list of the others faults. The writer said they each started writing. He said his mother wrote a long list. However, instead of writing faults, his father wrote the words “I love you” repeatedly down the side of his paper.
Our words, actions and thoughts should communicate love to the other person. Love is never an inappropriate action. Often our words, actions and thoughts are designed to manipulate, control or hurt the other person. We should love them with the love of Jesus Christ.
2. Resource two: Submit to truth. "And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (3:19 NKJV). Sometimes a guilty conscience is inappropriate. However, there are times when we feel guilty because we are guilty. How do you determine true guilt? Your conscience is not an adequate guide. It can be faulty. Other people are not always dependable either. They may not give good advice. The best guide is God’s word. God’s word is consistent. It is unchanging. The challenge is submitting to God’s word and accepting what it teaches. I once read somewhere “The truth will set you free but it will make you uncomfortable in the process.”
Consider the following examples of submitting
-You have been guilty of criticizing and judging another person. "Judge not, that you be not judged.” Mt. 7:7
- You have been hurt by another person. "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” Mt. 18:15
- You have trouble forgiving someone. "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” Mk. 11:25
As we submit to God’s word we will make right decisions and follow a consistent pattern that is pleasing to God.
3. Resource three: Accept the grace of God. "For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things." (3:20 NKJV) If you have confessed your sin and asked God’s forgiveness then rejoice in the grace of God. God’s grace is not a pacifier to those who want to continue living in their sin. However, if you truly repent, confess your sin and ask God’s forgiveness God grace will heal your wounds. The Bible instructs you to throw your sin into the deepest ocean and leave it there. In addition, he has put up a no fishing sign.
Illustration: One of the greatest Christians who ever walked this planet was Paul, who wrote a number of books in our New Testament. However, prior to his conversion Paul was a cruel man who condoned the persecution of believers. When he was converted he was overwhelmed that God would forgive him. Paul’s writings are saturated with statements about the grace of God. Consider these: “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Rom 5:20 NKJV). “But by the grace of God I am what I am” (I Cor. 15:10 NKJV)
Illustration: Another great Christian, John Newton, was awed by the grace of God. One of the most beloved hymns of all time was written by him, “Amazing Grace.” John Newton was a converted slave trader. That song grew from the grateful heart of a man who was overwhelmed by God’s grace. He was blessed that God would give him a second chance and allow the sins of his past to be washed away.
4. Resource four: Put your trust in Jesus. " And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ" (3:23 NKJV) What does Jesus have to do with managing our conscience? Good question!
A. Jesus forgives us when we sin and thus gives us a clean start. John said “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(I John 1:9 NKJV)
B. Jesus will forgive you of your sins but he will also give you a fresh start.
Illustration: Betty Maxfield survived the 9/11 tragedy at the Pentagon. In the Chicago Tribune, she said, “I should’ve been dead. We were all, for some reason, saved. My question now is, what am I supposed to do with it? I just can’t go waste it. I thought I was living my life well before, but obviously there’s more that I can do to say thank you for my life and a second chance at it.” SOURCE: Dr. Bruce L. Emmert. Citation: (Chicago Tribune [3-22-02]; Tempo section) (Contributed to Sermon Central by SermonCentral PRO)
A lady by the name of Louise Fletcher Tarkington wrote a poem entitled “The Land of Beginning Again.” This poem reflects the desires of many.
I wish that there were some wonderful place
Called the Land of Beginning Again,
Where all our mistakes and all our heartaches,
And all of our poor selfish grief
Could be dropped like a shabby old coat at
the door And never put on again.
In Jesus this is possible.
We can gain victory over our conscience. We must follow the internal leadings of love, submit to God’s truth, accept the grace of God and put our trust in Jesus. Has God spoken to you about your conscience? He wants to give you victory. Will you accept it today?
