The Unburdened Heart: Understanding a Clear Conscience
We explore a vital aspect of our spiritual well-being: the clear conscience. It's more than just feeling good; it's a state of being aligned with God and our fellow humans.
What is a Clear Conscience?
A clear conscience is an inner joy and peace of mind stemming from:
• Settled debts: Both literal and metaphorical, resolving any harm we've caused.
• Forgiven sins: Seeking and receiving God's forgiveness for our transgressions.
• Honest living: 2 Corinthians 1:12 highlights this: "For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, 1 and all the more toward you."
The Importance of a Clear Conscience
Why is a clear conscience so crucial?
• True Inner Peace:
◦ Colossians 3:15 encourages us to let "the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."
◦ Romans 14:22 reminds us, "Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves."
◦ A guilty conscience is a relentless tormentor, stealing peace. As we see in Genesis 3:10, Adam and Eve's guilt caused them to hide from God. And Psalm 44:15 describes the shame that sin brings.
• Testifying with Authority:
◦ Acts 23:1 shows Paul's declaration, "Men and brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience until this day."
◦ Jesus' authority stemmed from His sinless life (John 8:46). The Pharisees, burdened by their own guilt, could not stand before Him (John 8:9).
◦ 1 Peter 3:15-16, tells us to have a good conscience, so that those that speak against us may be ashamed. Living what we preach gives us authority.
• Making Right Decisions Under Pressure:
◦ 1 Samuel 15:24 illustrates Saul's failure, bowing to pressure instead of conscience.
• Developing Trust in Relationships:
◦ A clear conscience fosters transparency, free from the fear of past "ghosts" (1 Samuel 18:1-4).
◦ This also allows us to have a transparent relationship with God.
• Enjoying Good Health:
◦ Psalm 32:1-5 shows how the strain of guilt can manifest physically.
• Avoiding Shipwreck of Faith:
◦ 1 Timothy 1:5-6, 19 warns that rejecting a good conscience can lead to shipwrecked faith.
◦ 1 Timothy 4:2, talks about consciences that have been seared with a hot iron.
◦ Acts 24:16, Paul makes every effort to have a clear conscience.
◦ True faith cannot coexist with a burdened conscience.
Cauterizing the Conscience: A Dangerous Path
When we ignore our conscience, we often try to silence it:
• Insisting on Error: Repeatedly engaging in sin dulls our sensitivity.
• Escape: Seeking refuge in substances or distractions.
• Perversion: Particularly sexual perversion, which can warp our moral compass.
• Compensatory Actions: Attempting to atone for guilt through good works, excessive activity, or indulgence.
• Proverbs 29:1, warns us about hardening our necks against rebukes.
How to Obtain a Clear Conscience
True healing comes not from avoidance, but from accountability:
• Recognize and Confess to God:
◦ 1 John 1:9 assures us, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Preaching on Christian Profile: The Mirror of Christ
- Preaching on Desires of the sinful nature
- Preaching on "High Places": Spiritual Strongholds in Our Lives
Conclusion
A clear conscience is a precious gift, a foundation for peace, integrity, and a vibrant relationship with God. Let us strive to maintain it, seeking His forgiveness and living in accordance with His truth. Amen.
