The Power of a Good Conscience The Power of a Good Conscience.

The Power of a Good The Power of a Good ConscienceConscience

God is able to make a sinful man a new God is able to make a sinful man a new creation!creation!

• The power of God’s word is seen in the The power of God’s word is seen in the change within a sinful man to become a change within a sinful man to become a child of God. child of God. (2 Cor 5:17)(2 Cor 5:17)


• 2 Corinthians 5:172 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone - Therefore, if anyone is is in Christ, in Christ, he is he is a new creationa new creation; old things ; old things have passed away; behold, all things have have passed away; behold, all things have become new.become new.


• The word of God changes the motives and The word of God changes the motives and the thinking of the one who lets God’s the thinking of the one who lets God’s word be implanted in his heart. word be implanted in his heart. (1 Pt 1:22; James 1:21)(1 Pt 1:22; James 1:21)


• 1 Peter 1:221 Peter 1:22 - Since you have - Since you have purified purified your souls in obeying the truthyour souls in obeying the truth through the through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently one another fervently with a pure heartwith a pure heart,,


• James 1:21James 1:21 - Therefore - Therefore lay aside all lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickednessfilthiness and overflow of wickedness, and , and receive with meekness the implanted receive with meekness the implanted wordword, which is able to save your souls., which is able to save your souls.


• Consider the change in the apostle Paul at Consider the change in the apostle Paul at his conversion.his conversion.

• God has given us a powerful tool for good God has given us a powerful tool for good in our conscience.in our conscience.

• The essence of conversion is honesty The essence of conversion is honesty towards God and self and a desire to yield towards God and self and a desire to yield to God’s way. to God’s way. (1 Pt 3:21)(1 Pt 3:21)


• 1 Peter 3:211 Peter 3:21 - There is also an antitype - There is also an antitype which now saves us -- baptism (not the which now saves us -- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but removal of the filth of the flesh, but the the answer of a good conscience toward answer of a good conscience toward GodGod), through the resurrection of Jesus ), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,Christ,


• A good conscience will bless you and the A good conscience will bless you and the loss of a good conscience will curse you.loss of a good conscience will curse you.


• We need to understand the commitment We need to understand the commitment and wisdom necessary to keep the and wisdom necessary to keep the conscience clean. conscience clean. (Acts 24:16)(Acts 24:16)


• Acts 24:16Acts 24:16 - "This - "This being being so, I myself so, I myself always always strive to have a conscience without strive to have a conscience without offenseoffense toward God and men. toward God and men.

Honesty and a Good ConscienceHonesty and a Good Conscience

• Without honesty you cannot have a Without honesty you cannot have a relationship with God. relationship with God. (Lk 8:15 KJV)(Lk 8:15 KJV)


• Luke 8:15Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground - But that on the good ground are they, which in an are they, which in an honest and good honest and good heartheart, having heard the word, keep , having heard the word, keep itit, and , and bring forth fruit with patience.bring forth fruit with patience.


• God has chosen to reach our hearts God has chosen to reach our hearts through truth! through truth! (Jn 8:32)(Jn 8:32)


• John 8:32John 8:32 - "And you shall know - "And you shall know the truththe truth, , and and the truth shall make you freethe truth shall make you free."."


• Satan tries to blind the heart to receive the Satan tries to blind the heart to receive the truth. truth. (2 Cor 4:3-4; Jn 8:44-45) (2 Cor 4:3-4; Jn 8:44-45)


• 2 Corinthians 4:3-42 Corinthians 4:3-4 - But even if our - But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of whose minds the god of this age has blindedthis age has blinded, who do not believe, , who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.shine on them.


• John 8:44-45John 8:44-45 - "You are of - "You are of your your father father the devil, and the desires of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and the beginning, and does not does not stand in the stand in the truthtruth, because there is no truth in him. , because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own own resources, resources, for for he is a liar and the he is a liar and the father of itfather of it. 45 "But because I tell the truth, . 45 "But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.you do not believe Me.


• Pilate was so caught up in personal Pilate was so caught up in personal ambition that all he could say is “what is ambition that all he could say is “what is truth?” truth?” (Jn 18:37-38)(Jn 18:37-38)


• John 18:37-38John 18:37-38 - Pilate therefore said to Him, - Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say say rightly rightly that I am a king. that I am a king. For this cause I For this cause I was bornwas born, and for this cause I have come into , and for this cause I have come into the world, the world, that I should bear witness to the that I should bear witness to the truthtruth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My . Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "voice." 38 Pilate said to Him, "What is truthWhat is truth?" ?" And when he had said this, he went out again And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.Him at all.


• If a person cannot look and reason at hard If a person cannot look and reason at hard truths, they cannot know God.truths, they cannot know God.

• How are you and I building our lives? Is our How are you and I building our lives? Is our emphasis truth or relationships? Can we be emphasis truth or relationships? Can we be honest with ourselves?honest with ourselves?

• In order to see clearly we must have a pure In order to see clearly we must have a pure heart! heart!

• We must have a commitment to that which is We must have a commitment to that which is true true (Phil 4:8)(Phil 4:8)


• Philippians 4:8Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brethren, - Finally, brethren, whatever whatever things are truethings are true, whatever , whatever things things are are noblenoble, whatever , whatever things things are are justjust, , whatever whatever things things are are purepure, whatever things , whatever things are are lovely, whatever things lovely, whatever things are are of good of good report, if report, if there is there is any virtue and if any virtue and if there is there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things.things.


• We must have pure motives We must have pure motives (Titus 1:5, James 3:17)(Titus 1:5, James 3:17)


• Titus 1:15Titus 1:15 - - To the pure all things are To the pure all things are purepure, but to those who are defiled and , but to those who are defiled and unbelieving unbelieving nothing is purenothing is pure; but even ; but even their their mind and conscience are defiledmind and conscience are defiled..


• James 3:17James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from - But the wisdom that is from above above is first pureis first pure, then peaceable, gentle, , then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. hypocrisy.


• The world has no hope of understanding.The world has no hope of understanding.• How many get angry over gossip or lies How many get angry over gossip or lies

and stop thinking! and stop thinking! (Prov 18:19)(Prov 18:19)


• Proverbs 18:19Proverbs 18:19 - - A brother offendedA brother offended is is harder to win harder to win than a strong city, And than a strong city, And contentions contentions are are like the bars of a castlelike the bars of a castle..


• The Romans had a good law but perverted The Romans had a good law but perverted justice. Laws do not replace morals! justice. Laws do not replace morals!


• ““But when religion loses its voice and the But when religion loses its voice and the media worship success, when right and wrong media worship success, when right and wrong become relativised and morality is condemned become relativised and morality is condemned as “judgmental”, when people lose all sense of as “judgmental”, when people lose all sense of honour and shame and there is nothing they honour and shame and there is nothing they won't do if they can get away with it, no won't do if they can get away with it, no regulation will save us. People will outwit the regulation will save us. People will outwit the regulators, as they did by the securitisation of regulators, as they did by the securitisation of risk so no one knew who owed what to whom.”risk so no one knew who owed what to whom.”


• - - Morals: the one thing markets don't Morals: the one thing markets don't make - make - No amount of regulation will No amount of regulation will restore our sense of honour and shame. restore our sense of honour and shame. Economics needs ethics – by Jonathan Economics needs ethics – by Jonathan SacksSacks

The power of a good conscience – the The power of a good conscience – the example of Danielexample of Daniel

• Imagine being in Daniel’s shoes in a Imagine being in Daniel’s shoes in a conquering country with no rights.conquering country with no rights.

• What God expected of His people did not What God expected of His people did not change. change. (Psa 119:10-11)(Psa 119:10-11)


• Psalm 119:10-11Psalm 119:10-11 - With - With my whole heart I my whole heart I have sought Youhave sought You; Oh, ; Oh, let me not wander let me not wander from Your commandmentsfrom Your commandments! 11 Your word ! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heartI have hidden in my heart, That I might not , That I might not sin against You!sin against You!


• Daniel could discern and know the truth. Daniel could discern and know the truth. He also could stand for it. He also could stand for it. (Dan 1:8)(Dan 1:8)


• Daniel 1:8Daniel 1:8 - But - But Daniel purposed in his Daniel purposed in his heartheart that he would not defile himself with that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's delicacies, nor the portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.he might not defile himself.


• Imagine the many “reasons” he could have Imagine the many “reasons” he could have found a “new non-traditional perspective!” found a “new non-traditional perspective!” Circumstances do not change what is true.Circumstances do not change what is true.

• People learned this about Daniel.People learned this about Daniel.• Those who trust in God develop a way of Those who trust in God develop a way of

thinking! thinking! (2 Tim 1:7, 13)(2 Tim 1:7, 13)


• 2 Timothy 1:72 Timothy 1:7 - For God has not given us - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of and of a sound minda sound mind..


• 2 Timothy 1:132 Timothy 1:13 - - Hold fast the pattern of Hold fast the pattern of sound wordssound words which you have heard from which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.Jesus.


• Daniel did not hesitate to stand and speak Daniel did not hesitate to stand and speak up! Some fear this kind of faith.up! Some fear this kind of faith.

• This consistency brought favor with the This consistency brought favor with the chief of the eunuchs chief of the eunuchs (Dan 1:10-15)(Dan 1:10-15)


• Daniel 1:10-15Daniel 1:10-15 - And the chief of the eunuchs - And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the kingI fear my lord the king, who , who has appointed your food and drink. For why has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who the young men who are are your age? Then your age? Then you you would endanger my head before the kingwould endanger my head before the king." 11 ." 11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Mishael, and Azariah,


• 12 "12 "Please test your servants for ten daysPlease test your servants for ten days, , and let them give us vegetables to eat and and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 "Then let our water to drink. 13 "Then let our appearance be examined before you, and appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit, you see fit, so so deal with your servants." deal with your servants." 14 So he consented with them in this 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and matter, and tested them ten daystested them ten days. .


• 15 And at the end of ten days 15 And at the end of ten days their their features appeared better and fatterfeatures appeared better and fatter in flesh in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies.of the king's delicacies.


• Are you known for a good conscience?Are you known for a good conscience?• You will be tested and lose “friendships” You will be tested and lose “friendships”

over this. over this. (1 Pt 3:16)(1 Pt 3:16)


• 1 Peter 3:161 Peter 3:16 - having a good conscience, - having a good conscience, that when that when they defame you as evildoersthey defame you as evildoers, , those those who revile your good conductwho revile your good conduct in in Christ may be ashamed.Christ may be ashamed.


• You have an alternative from playing the You have an alternative from playing the game of “hide and seek” with men.game of “hide and seek” with men.

• Do not be ashamed of brethren that stand Do not be ashamed of brethren that stand up and speak out. up and speak out.

• Most of all, are you honest with yourself? Most of all, are you honest with yourself? (Gal 6:3)(Gal 6:3)


• Galatians 6:3Galatians 6:3 - For if anyone thinks - For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is himself to be something, when he is nothing, nothing, he deceives himselfhe deceives himself..

A good conscience and moralsA good conscience and morals

• Without a good conscience men can justify Without a good conscience men can justify anything. anything. (1 Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:5-7)(1 Cor 6:9-10; Eph 5:5-7)


• 1 Corinthians 6:9-101 Corinthians 6:9-10 - Do you not know - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? kingdom of God? Do not be deceivedDo not be deceived. . Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.God.


• Ephesians 5:5-7Ephesians 5:5-7 - For this you know, that - For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty Let no one deceive you with empty wordswords, for because of these things the , for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be do not be partakers with thempartakers with them..


• Have you ever tried to stand in the way of Have you ever tried to stand in the way of someone who is determined to do someone who is determined to do something wrong? something wrong? (Prov 17:12)(Prov 17:12)


• Proverbs 17:12Proverbs 17:12 - Let a man meet a bear - Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.his folly.


• Proverbs 17:12Proverbs 17:12 - Let a man meet a bear - Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in robbed of her cubs, Rather than a fool in his folly.his folly.


• Here is where there can be “peer groups” Here is where there can be “peer groups” within the church.within the church.

• How far will you stand against these How far will you stand against these things? things? (Eph 5:3-4; 1 Pt 3:10-11)(Eph 5:3-4; 1 Pt 3:10-11)


• Ephesians 5:3-4Ephesians 5:3-4 - But fornication and all - But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, uncleanness or covetousness, let it not let it not even be named among youeven be named among you, as is fitting for , as is fitting for saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor saints; 4 neither filthiness, nor foolish foolish talkingtalking, nor , nor coarse jestingcoarse jesting, which are not , which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.fitting, but rather giving of thanks.


• 1 Peter 3:10-111 Peter 3:10-11 - For "He who would love - For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away turn away from evil and do goodfrom evil and do good; Let him seek peace ; Let him seek peace and and pursue itpursue it..


• How sad to see Christians practice How sad to see Christians practice deception. Those who love you will deception. Those who love you will confront and test you. (Ex. Parents and confront and test you. (Ex. Parents and children) children)


• Sin will take you further than you will want Sin will take you further than you will want to go. to go. (Gal 6:7)(Gal 6:7)


• Galatians 6:7Galatians 6:7 - - Do not be deceivedDo not be deceived, God , God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.that he will also reap.


• The loss of a good conscience will affect The loss of a good conscience will affect all of you relationships.all of you relationships.

• How many thought that they could “handle How many thought that they could “handle it” or that it would be different for them?it” or that it would be different for them?


• There are many who are living a life that There are many who are living a life that they never dreamed they would live. they never dreamed they would live. (1 Tim 1:19-20)(1 Tim 1:19-20)


• 1 Timothy 1:19-201 Timothy 1:19-20 - having - having faith and a faith and a good consciencegood conscience, which some , which some having having rejectedrejected, concerning , concerning the faith have the faith have suffered shipwrecksuffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are , 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.to blaspheme.


• The first steps to destroy a conscience are The first steps to destroy a conscience are falsely considered as “small.”falsely considered as “small.”

A good conscience and friendsA good conscience and friends

• Why do some seek friendship with those Why do some seek friendship with those who seek to tear their conscience down? who seek to tear their conscience down? (1 Cor 15:33)(1 Cor 15:33)


• 1 Corinthians 15:331 Corinthians 15:33 - Do not be - Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits."habits."


• You will find both moral and “doctrinal’ You will find both moral and “doctrinal’ compromises to follow the same path.compromises to follow the same path.


• Do you have friends that love the truth? Do you have friends that love the truth? Will they speak out? Worldly friends will Will they speak out? Worldly friends will speak out too and wonder why you are speak out too and wonder why you are different. different. (1 Jn 4:5-6)(1 Jn 4:5-6)


• 1 John 4:5-61 John 4:5-6 - They are of the world. - They are of the world. Therefore they speak Therefore they speak as as of the world, and of the world, and the world hears themthe world hears them. 6 We are of God. . 6 We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear usnot of God does not hear us. By this we . By this we know know the spirit of truth and the spirit of the spirit of truth and the spirit of errorerror..


• Who are you ashamed of? Who are you ashamed of? (Lk 9:26; 2 Tim 1:8, 16)(Lk 9:26; 2 Tim 1:8, 16)


• Luke 9:26Luke 9:26 - "For whoever - "For whoever is ashamed of is ashamed of Me and My wordsMe and My words, of him the Son of Man , of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His will be ashamed when He comes in His own own glory, and glory, and in His in His Father's, and of the Father's, and of the holy angels.holy angels.


• 2 Timothy 1:82 Timothy 1:8 - Therefore do not be - Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisonerof me His prisoner, but share with me in , but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,the power of God,


• 2 Timothy 1:162 Timothy 1:16 - The Lord grant mercy to - The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my was not ashamed of my chainchain; ;


• You will never regret building and keeping You will never regret building and keeping a good conscience!a good conscience!

• One of the best things that can happen to One of the best things that can happen to you is to “crash and burn” and then repent. you is to “crash and burn” and then repent. You can build again a good conscience!You can build again a good conscience!

• There is great power in a pure heart and a There is great power in a pure heart and a clear conscience. clear conscience. (Psa 51:10-13)(Psa 51:10-13)


• Psalm 51:10-13Psalm 51:10-13 - - Create in me a clean Create in me a clean heartheart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit , O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy the joy of Your salvationof Your salvation, And uphold me , And uphold me by Your by Your generous Spirit. 13 generous Spirit. 13 Then Then I will teach I will teach transgressors Your waystransgressors Your ways, And sinners , And sinners shall be converted to You.shall be converted to You.


• What does the mirrow of God’s word say What does the mirrow of God’s word say to you and I? to you and I? (James 1:23-25)(James 1:23-25)


• James 1:23-25James 1:23-25 - For if anyone is a hearer - For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirrorobserving his natural face in a mirror; 24 ; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he immediately forgets what kind of man he waswas. 25 But he who . 25 But he who looks into the perfect looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues law of liberty and continues in itin it, , and is not and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.this one will be blessed in what he does.

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The Power of a Good Conscience The Power of a Good Conscience.

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