Why Can't I?Sample

The Principle of Conscience

There’s one other person who should be considered when you need to decide about your activities. That other person is yourself. Way down deep, how do you really feel about a particular matter? Are you really comfortable about being involved in it? Are you honestly convinced you are doing the right thing?

According to the Bible, your own conscience is a very important consideration. Romans 14:22 says: “The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.” And in Acts 24:16 the apostle Paul is quoted as saying, “I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”

Of course, the Bible clearly tells us that some things are wrong—lying, stealing, disobedience, and so on. You don’t need to consult your conscience about those things: you can know for sure that they are wrong because God says they are. But you may wonder about something that isn’t mentioned in the Bible. When that happens, the principle of conscience comes into the picture.

Suppose your conscience tells you not to do something, but you do it anyway. Was any real harm done? Yes. According to Romans 14:23, “Whatever is not from faith is sin.” That means if you do something your conscience tells you not to do, you’ll be sinning against your conscience.

When you hurt your conscience, you also hurt your prayer life. How? Because the guilt you feel interferes with your relationship with God. The apostle John wrote: “Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1John 3:21)

It’s wonderful to have a clear conscience. Only then can you enjoy a close relationship with God. Don’t sacrifice your conscience in order to go somewhere or do something. It’s not worth it.