The Truth In Print, August 2006 Vol. 12
Issue 7
Breaking
Scriptural Patterns With Good Conscience
Many refuse to recognize and admit that doctrinal matters are included in maintaining
a good conscience. In other words concerning “conscience” it is not as if one
is always at liberty to do what they want. Just because one chooses to do
something, thinks they can do it, and feels good about it doesn’t necessarily
make it right! You may someday, friend, meet another who’d really like to bring
a piano into the worship of the church. I have met members of the church who
have stated this is their preference. If they say that they can do
it in all good conscience are we to allow it or forbid them? When we forbid
them are we wrong since they say that their conscience will allow such?
Conscience Is
Associated With Knowledge
The “knowledge” of the Gospel has to overcome, at times, things
connected with one’s environment (what one grew up in, is accustomed to). When
Paul addressed liberties and eating things offered to idols he said, “we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there
is none other God but one” (I Cor. 8:4). Then he said, “Howbeit there is not in
every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour
eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is
defiled” (I Cor. 8:7). Paul’s “
unto this hour” statement shows the influence of their environment (what they
grew up in, were accustomed to). The Gospel is powerful enough to overcome such
things as racial hatred, fears based upon sinful superstitions, and even false
religions beliefs based upon the world’s beliefs and practices. The saying,
“Let your conscience be your guide” is only right if the conscience is properly
taught! One thing is plain. I Cor. 8:7 shows the
conscience is not an infallible guide and acts according to the knowledge that
it has. Speaking from the standpoint of instruction and knowledge Paul later
says, “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat,
asking no question for conscience sake” (I Cor. 10:25;
also I Cor. 10:27). It makes no difference if a piece of meat that was for sale
had been offered to idols before being placed in the market (Cf. I Cor. 8:4,8).
In A Matter of “
To Cause One To Go Against Their Conscience
One aspect of “liberties” was that one must not make their brother offend. Paul
said, “Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while
the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend”
“(I Cor.
The
Responsibility To Keep The Commandments
Is What Matters ( read I Cor.
The “liberties” concerning which food one might choose to
eat or not did not justify or save. Hear Paul, “But meat commendeth
us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat
not, are we the worse” (I Cor. 8:8). Going back to the introduction, should one
want to introduce the instrument into the worship of the church one could not
say “neither if we play, are we the better; neither if we play not, are we the
worse.” If we play we are not justified for we are told to sing (Col. 3:16;
Eph.
Further
Instruction Concerning Conscience
If you leave the instructions on conscience and liberties in I
Corinthians and Romans in “context” where they belong what further instruction
do we have on the Christian’s conscience?
1. Acts 23:1
And Paul,
earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all
good conscience before God until this day.
Paul said “I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day,” thus
the time period of his statement for his good conscience included back when he
was Saul of Tarsus and murdering Christians (Cf. Acts 26: 9-12). If Paul could
do the things he did in persecuting the church in all good conscience, then do
you suppose that brethren can violate scriptural patterns for the work and
worship of the church with a perfectly good conscience? Could they even build
human organizations for evangelism and worship with a perfectly good
conscience? Oh I think so, don’t you? When you don’t listen to the instruction
and ignore the commands and specifics you might be doing a lot of things you
shouldn’t while having a good conscience!
2. Romans 13:5
Wherefore
ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also
for conscience sake.
The context is civil authority. This shows there are
some things we are “subject to” for conscience sake! This is the opposite of
“Just let me have my own way that I approve of for myself and you can’t deny
me.” As an aside concerning scriptural authority what do some brethren think
church discipline is for? Do they think that church can’t use its influence or
exert disciplinary procedures against one in order that they might give up a
false practice or doctrine? (Cf. I Cor. 5; 2 Th. 3; Rom.
3. 2 Cor. 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our
conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom,
but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more
abundantly to you-ward.
Paul relied upon God’s means not man’s for proper conduct. His
conscience testified of that!
4. 2 Cor. 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth
commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
It was by a manifestation of the truth in the sight of God that
they commended themselves to others’ consciences for approval. Why would anyone
accept a proposal and practice of something for which there is no scriptural
authority?
5. 1 Tim. 1:18-20
This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which
went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a
good warfare; [19] Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put
away concerning faith have made shipwreck: [20] Of whom is Hymenaeus
and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to
blaspheme.
Here faith is mentioned first (vs. 19). This is “faith” that comes
from hearing God’s word (Cf.
6. 1 Tim. 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
Here it is “the faith” that is held in a pure conscience. Holding
the faith or instruction is put first here. “Holding” means — to possess, show
ability in, constancy, etc. Doctrinal matters are included (not excluded) with
a sincere faith and pure conscience! (Cf. I Tim. 1:3-6).
7. 2 Tim. 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that
without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
To “serve” – Strong’s, G3000 latreuō lat-ryoo'-o From latris (a hired menial); to minister (to God), that is,
render religious homage: - serve, do the service, worship (-per). And how do we
serve? Hear this, “ Wherefore we receiving a kingdom
which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably
with reverence and godly fear: [29] For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb.
There Is A Sinister Side to Conscience
Read I Tim. 4:1-2. Concerning those who depart from
the faith— with a seared conscience men speak lies in hypocrisy. They are
hypocrites! They are not just sincerely teaching false doctrine! Hebrews
Conclusion:
Concerning baptism Peter said, “The like figure
whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth
of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (I Pet.
By Bob Lovelace
evangelist