A Good Conscience

Jeff Hopson

Below the Baseline • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

Acts 24:1–16

Conscience

0 ratings

· 3 views

Notes

Transcript

Handout

��A Good Conscience

Text

I And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

io Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been

📷Build Below the Baseline

of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself

11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

Overview

Building below the baseline requires living with a good conscience. Our conscience is so important! The Apostle Paul speaks of the state of our conscience in several passages. We are going to study God's Word to understand the role of our conscience and how to have a good conscience that is void of offense toward God and toward men.

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should:

1. Understand the four conditions of one's conscience and identify the characteristics of each.

2. Know how to develop a good conscience.

3. Recognize the importance of displaying a good conscience.

Lesson Five—A Good Conscience

��Teaching Outline

I. The Conscience Defined

A. The Good Conscience

B. The Defiled Conscience

C. The Evil Conscience

D. The Seared Conscience

II. A Good Conscience Developed

A. Exercise Requires a Goal

B. Exercise Requires Discipline

III. A Good Conscience Displayed

A. Toward God

B. Toward Men

A Good Conscience

Acts 24:1-16

Acts 24:1–16 KJV 1900

And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence, We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law. But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands, Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so. Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Lesson Goals

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should:

1. Understand the four conditions of one's conscience and identify the characteristics of each.

2. Know how to develop a good conscience.

3. Recognize the importance of displaying a good conscience.

Introduction

The scene that unfolds in is a formal accusation against the Apostle Paul by the Jews to the governor, Felix. The Jewish High Priest Ananias has employed Tertullus, an orator (or lawyer), to accuse Paul of being a "pestilent fellow"—a troublemaker.

Although this took place in the first century, it's not too hard to imagine taking place in our day as well. We live in a society that increasingly sees Christians who believe and preach the Bible as pestilent.

Lawsuits are brought against Christians who stand for their beliefs in business. Scorn, ridicule, and disdain are leveled against Christians who hold biblical values and teach that Christ is the only way to Heaven.

📷ridicule, and disdain are leveled against Christians who hold biblical values and teach that Christ is the only way to Heaven.

As you read , you can sense the animosity seething out of the High Priest and those who did not like the Apostle Paul or his message of Jesus Christ being the Messiah.

And yet, as Paul eventually has opportunity to make his defense, he makes a statement that truly states the heart condition of this godly man.

Acts 24:16 KJV 1900

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

The best defense that the Apostle Paul had was his clear conscience. He knew his accusers could craft lies about him, but he could peacefully face the false charges because he also knew he had no secret sin in his life or ulterior motives in his ministry.

A good conscience is still the best defense for God's people today. It has never been popular to stand for righteousness, and Christians all around the world are being persecuted for their faith. Even in America, those who live godly lives are suffering the seething accusations of the unsaved world.

Having a testimony that is "void of offense" doesn't just happen overnight. It is a below-the-baseline matter. It is developed privately and consistently.

Paul lived in such a way that no one could honestly accuse him of doing wrong or treating someone wrong.

You and I have a choice to make concerning enemies:

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Spanish Patriot

Spanish Patriot

When Narvaez, the Spanish patriot, lay dying, his father-confessor asked him whether he had forgiven all his enemies. Narvaez looked astonished and said, “Father, I have no enemies, I have shot them all.”

John Maxwell- “‘I have no enemies’ meaning I do not count anyone as my enemy even if they count me as an enemy.”

Is this the testimony of your life as well?

Of course, having a good conscience doesn't mean that we never sin, or none of us would have one. But it does mean that our hearts are right with God and there is nothing others can say we have done to them without making things right.

Let's look closer at what God says about the conscience and how we can develop a good conscience at the very foundation of our lives.

I. The Conscience Defined

��I. The Conscience Defined

What exactly is the conscience? Someone has defined it as "a window that lets the light in?' The light that comes through a window reveals what is already there. Even so, the conscience is one way the Holy Spirit reveals to us the true condition of our hearts. One of the great tools He uses to do this is His Word.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV 1900

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

As we let the light of God's Word come into our hearts, the Holy Spirit uses it to prick our conscience when we are not following the Lord in the way we should.

The Bible speaks of the conscience in several passages, and it describes four different types of consciences:

A. The Good Conscience

The first is the kind of conscience we should all desire—a good conscience.

Acts 23:1 KJV 1900

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Paul was not perfect, but he did not allow sin to linger in his life.

Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

Paul was not perfect, but he did not allow sin to linger in his life. If you have a good conscience, when you do sin, you are troubled by its presence

If you have a good conscience, when you do sin, you are troubled by its presence and immediately confess it to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness.

📷and immediately confess it to the Lord and ask for His forgiveness.

Paul also practiced a good conscience toward others and instructed Timothy to do the same—that his life would not come to ruin.

1 Timothy 1:18–19 KJV 1900

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; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

We likewise see that Paul could honestly say that his serving God had been with a pure conscience. He did not have ulterior motives in his ministry.

2 Timothy 1:3 KJV 1900

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;

19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:

We likewise see that Paul could honestly say that his serving God had been with a pure conscience. He did not have ulterior motives in his ministry.

Someone once said, "There is no softer pillow than a good conscience?' With all of the burdens of life, we don't have room for the heavy weight of sin and guilt. A clear conscience brings not just spiritual health, but lifts many of the emotional weights that hinder mental and relational health as well. Unconfessed, disregarded sin brings a toll of heaviness in your spirit and brokenness in your relationships—burdens God never intended you to carry.

with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;

Benjamin Franklin said, "Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no ambition corrupt thee, no example sway thee, no persuasion move thee to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so thou shalt live jollily, for a good conscience is a continual Christmas."

📷thee to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so thou shalt live jollily, for a good conscience is a continual Christmas."

It is through the grace of God that we are able to resist sin and live with a good conscience.

Titus 2:11–12 KJV 1900

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

to resist sin and live with a good conscience.

Many Christians underestimate the power of God's grace. Some think that by having a list of dos and don'ts, they are insured of keeping a good conscience. But these Christians fail to recognize the deceitfulness of heart-level sins, such as pride or covetousness. Other Christians think grace gives them license to avoid lists of dos and don'ts. These Christians fail to recognize the importance of a godly testimony through a godly lifestyle.

appeared to all men,

12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Grace is not a license to sin, nor is it merely having a standard to protect you from sin. Grace is the power of God to resist sin so we can live with a good conscience toward God.

In 2 Corinthians, Paul also pointed out that by the grace of God we can conduct our lifestyle (referred to as our conversation in this verse) in a way that protects our conscience and our testimony.

2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV 1900

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.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts in conviction, it is a gift of God's grace. When we are responsive to His conviction, we can maintain a good conscience.

��had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

When the Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts in conviction, it is a gift of God's grace. When we are responsive to His conviction, we can maintain a good conscience.

B. The Defiled Conscience

The Bible also speaks of a defiled conscience.

Titus 1:15–16 KJV 1900

Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

The word defiled means "made dirty."

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Back to the analogy of our conscience as a window through which the Holy Spirit shines light, the defiled conscience is a window that has been allowed to become dirty.

The word defiled means "made dirty." Back to the analogy of our conscience as a window through which the Holy Spirit shines light, the defiled conscience is a window that has been allowed to become dirty. This is a conscience that was once pure and clean, but it no longer receives the light of truth as it once did. The mind has become polluted so that even innocent words or actions to this person's conscience are turned into something impure or unholy. Purity has lost its value.

This is a conscience that was once pure and clean, but it no longer receives the light of truth as it once did.

The mind has become polluted so that even innocent words or actions to this person's conscience are turned into something impure or unholy. Purity has lost its value.

A defiled conscience is not a safe guide. Whereas a person with a good conscience will often find that his conscience will hold him in check from making foolish decisions, a person with a defiled conscience has a mind that has become polluted. The decisions he makes—and insists are perfectly fine—are often foolish and hurtful to others. On matters as serious as his marriage or as simple as how to spend free time, a person with a defiled conscience has lost the filter of holiness and purity through which to make wise decisions.

📷foolish and hurtful to others. On matters as serious as his marriage or as simple as how to spend free time, a person with a defiled conscience has lost the filter of holiness and purity through which to make wise decisions.

If you find yourself tolerating sins that years ago you shunned, this is not a mark of spiritual maturity; it is a mark of a conscience that is becoming less sensitive to the light of truth. And it's time to ask the Lord for help in cleansing you from sin and restoring your conscience.

C. The Evil Conscience

A third type of conscience is an evil conscience.

Hebrews 10:22–23 KJV 1900

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

An Evil Conscience is the result of a habitual allowance of sin.

23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without

While a defiled conscience is the result of an occasional allowance of sin—perhaps enjoying a bad joke here or there, watching a show you know is not pleasing to the Lord, checking out the social media profile of an old flame, an evil conscience is the result of a habitual allowance of sin.

wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

One of the most tragic examples of an evil conscience in Scripture is that of Lot. The Bible tells us that Lot was a believer, for he was a "righteous man." But Lot made some disastrous choices which damaged his conscience.

2 Peter 2:7–8 KJV 1900

And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

Perhaps you know the story of how Lot initially had a curiosity of the things of the world. His compromises began small.

First, he simply pitched his tent toward the wicked city of Sodom ().

8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

But his life spiraled downward from there.

Perhaps you know the story of how Lot initially had a curiosity of the things of the world. His compromises began small. First, he simply pitched his tent toward the wicked city of Sodom (). But his life spiraled downward from there. When we encounter him next in the pages of Scripture () we find he is living in Sodom and has become a leader in the community. No one in the city even knows that he used to serve Jehovah God. As this chapter comes to a close, the last recorded event we have of Lot's life is a drunken act of incest with his two daughters.

When we encounter him next in the pages of Scripture () we find he is living in Sodom and has become a leader in the community. No one in the city even knows that he used to serve Jehovah God.

As this chapter comes to a close, the last recorded event we have of Lot's life is a drunken act of incest with his two daughters.

What a grievous testimony to leave! And it is all the more tragic because Lot began with a good conscience. He allowed it to become defiled, however, and his final demise was the result of an evil conscience.

D. The Seared Conscience

The downward progression continues with the fourth type—the seared conscience.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 KJV 1900

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

The word seared means "burnt on the surface; cauterized; hardened." A seared conscience has no feeling of conviction between what is right and what is wrong.

2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

📷The word seared means "burnt on the surface; cauterized; hardened." A seared conscience has no feeling of conviction between what is right and what is wrong.

Illustration

Have you ever burnt your hand? Our skin is filled with sensitive nerve endings that transmit messages to the brain. But when that skin has been burned with extreme heat, it kills those nerve endings.

Therefore, that burned patch of skin, though it heals and scars, it has no feeling or sensitivity. This is how God describes a seared conscience.

Looking back at the biblical description of a seared conscience, we see that this person's conscience is so limited in its ability to sense the conviction of God that the person accepts and propagates false doctrine.

Illustration

To a Christian who is walking with God, there is nothing pleasant about being under the influence of wickedness and living in darkness.

....., conscience has found this to be a comfort zone. It would be like a prisoner of war enjoying his captivity, and choosing to stay in confinement and darkness versus being liberated. To a free person looking in on the one held captive, we would say they are crazy. But that is the position of a seared conscience. This person has lost even the logical reasoning to recognize the

But the seared conscience has found this to be a comfort zone. It would be like a prisoner of war enjoying his captivity, and choosing to stay in confinement and darkness versus being liberated.

...... bondage of their sin.

To a free person looking in on the one held captive, we would say they are crazy. But that is the position of a seared conscience.

This person has lost even the logical reasoning to recognize the bondage of their sin.

Remember that the person who ends up with a seared conscience once had a good conscience.

But he continued to resist what little conscience he had left so that his conscience became seared—past feeling.

Somewhere along life's way, the evil conscience we meet in resisted the conviction of the Holy Spirit and allowed his conscience to become defiled. Eventually, his choices became habitual, and he developed an evil conscience. But he continued to resist what little conscience he had left so that his conscience became seared—past feeling.

In contrast, think back to Paul's statement as he stood before Governor Felix, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" (). What a joy for him, as he was falsely accused as being a ringleader of trouble to be able to say, "My conscience is clear:'

Every Christian with a heart for God desires a good conscience. So how is that conscience developed?

II. A Good Conscience Developed

Paul pointed out that maintaining a good conscience required something that not many of us like—exercise.

Acts 24:16 KJV 1900

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

Exercise here speaks of the effort invested in developing a good conscience.

Illustration

Exercise takes time and, if done correctly, is hard, sweaty work. It doesn't always show immediate results, and, if we don't continue with it, our past exercise is powerless to maintain health in the future. It requires faithfulness. In the same ways, exercising ourselves to maintain a good conscience takes time and effort and is an ongoing process.

📷and, if we don't continue with it, our past exercise is powerless to maintain health in the future. It requires faithfulness. In the same ways, exercising ourselves to maintain a good conscience takes time and effort and is an ongoing process.

Let's look at two factors of exercise that will help us nurture a good conscience.

A. Exercise Requires a Goal

Zig Ziglar said, "If you aim for nothing, you will hit it every time." We achieve something by aiming for it, setting goals.

1 Corinthians 9:25 KJV 1900

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Those who compete in athletic events want to win. They spend many hours training for a few moments of an athletic event.

Those who strive to be the masters of their trades, likewise, put incredible amounts of effort into their areas of expertise so they might advance in their fields or receive honors for their skills.

If people will go to such lengths for physical, academic, or trade achievements, how much more should we invest ourselves in ways that have eternal significance?

For the Christian, the goal of spiritual pursuits—including exercising a good conscience—is to please Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:1 KJV 1900

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

�1

2 Timothy 2:4 KJV 1900

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

I Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

Does your life please God? I think that some people view salvation like the "get out of jail" card in the board game Monopoly.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

God did not save us from sin so we could continue to live in it. Salvation gives you the power to now live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Does your life please God? I think that some people view salvation like the "get out of jail" card in the board game Monopoly. God did not save us from sin so we could continue to live in it. Salvation gives you the power to now live a life that is pleasing to Him.

B. Exercise Requires Discipline

Perhaps the reason exercise is not naturally enjoyable for us is because it requires something our human nature detests—discipline.

Paul explained that he practiced spiritual discipline to live a life that was pleasing to the Lord.

1 Corinthians 9:27 KJV 1900

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Though God does not give us specific details of Paul's self discipline carried out, I would surmise that this meant he kept under his control the places he would go, the friends he would choose, his daily habits, and so on. In order to keep his good conscience, he established boundaries for himself and he stuck to them.

27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

📷conscience, he established boundaries for himself and he stuck to them.

This personal discipline is what liberated Paul to minister to others. It is what enabled him to maintain a good conscience.

Paul instructed Timothy, "Take heed unto thyself ..." Sometimes we focus more on what we teach than what we live. The result is usually a damaged testimony.

1 Timothy 4:16 KJV 1900

Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Our Christian heritage is sprinkled with the sad stories of powerful preachers who brought great shame to the cause of Christ when secret sin was exposed. One may ask, "How does that happen?" answers that for us—they didn't continually take heed unto themselves.

This personal discipline is not a matter of strong will power to do right. It is your response to God's work in you. God works in us, and we are commanded to work out what He has worked in.

Philippians 2:12–13 KJV 1900

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Some people ask, "Is Christian growth God's work or my work?" The answer is "yes." It's both! It's a divine-human synergy. God's grace works in us through salvation to give us the power to choose to live disciplined lives.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Some people ask, "Is Christian growth God's work or my work?" The answer is "yes." It's both! It's a divine-human synergy. God's grace works in

📷us through salvation to give us the power to choose to live disciplined lives.

The disciplines of the Christian life can be summed up into two components:

We are to die to self and be filled with the Spirit. We'll look at both of these commands in more detail in lessons 6 and 7, but for now, here is a brief explanation.

1. Die to self. To exercise a good conscience, we have to die to self—sacrificing anything that may hinder our work for Christ.

Paul referred to this in when he said, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection...."

speaks of the weights and sins that hinder our progress for the Lord.

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Victorious living in Christ demands that we recognize our old sin nature has been crucified with Christ and we can say "no" to our fleshly impulses and desires.

But there is a second part to the equation that is just as important.

2. Be filled with the Spirit. Not only are we to put off the sins of the flesh, but we are to allow the Holy Spirit to control our lives.

Ephesians 5:18 KJV 1900

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Just as a person who is drunk is under the control of alcohol, so you and I are to be completely under the control of the Holy Spirit.

📷Just as a person who is drunk is under the control of alcohol, so you and I are to be completely under the control of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes that means there are things a leader will lay aside in order to be effective for Christ.

Illustration

Most of us, if we're not in the habit of regular physical exercise, don't initially like it. Our pep talks to get active usually include the motivational cliché "no pain, no gain." That popular phrase actually originated from Benjamin Franklin, nearly three hundred years ago. He was a proponent of physical exercise. This coined phrase came from one of his writings, "There are no gains without pains." (Source: www.thebenjaminfranklindiet.com)

Just as physical exercise requires discipline, so spiritual exercise requires a willingness to say "no" to anything that hinders and "yes" to that which aids. A good conscience is developed—not just through wanting it—but through spiritual discipline to exercise it.

III. A Good Conscience Displayed

Although no one can see "below the baseline" of our lives, they will eventually see the results of what we are building below the baseline.

The Apostle Paul's good conscience was toward God and toward men. He was aware that God saw it, and he was aware also that others could see it as well.

Acts 24:26 KJV 1900

He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Acts 24:16 KJV 1900

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

26 And herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.

A. Toward God

A conscience that is "void of offence" toward God is held by someone who knows there is no unconfessed sin in his life—there is nothing between himself and God relationally.

Matthew 5:8 KJV 1900

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

When we have a good conscience, we have a pure heart and can clearly see God at work in our lives.

God isn't impressed with our outward achievements or our appearance of godliness. He sees what others cannot see—our hearts. He sees our true intentions.

1 SAMUEL 167

7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

When we don't have pure hearts, we have simply to come to the Lord, confess our sins, and ask Him to cleanse our hearts.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

God knows that if matters are right between ourselves and God, then it will manifest itself outwardly by being right between ourselves and others.

B. Toward Men

There are some who boast their individuality by saying, "I don't care what people think about me' But we should care! We are the vessels God has chosen to shine His light to this dark world.

Matthew 5:14–16 KJV 1900

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1. Our light in this dark world is manifested in two ways:

Our light in this dark world is manifested in two ways:

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

i6 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Our light in this dark world is manifested in two ways:

a. First, it is in our testimonies.

You cannot have a right testimony toward men if there is no difference between you and the world.

speaks of this sanctification process as by manifestation of the truth. As we grow in Christ, it is manifested, or seen, by others.

2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV 1900

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.

Paul lived in such a way that to honest observers of his life, their hearts bore witness with them that this person was genuine. This person was living for God.

commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

Paul lived in such a way that to honest observers of his life, their hearts bore witness with them that this person was genuine. This person was living for God.

God specifically calls us to separate ourselves from ungodliness.

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV 1900

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

If the people you intermingle with regularly would be surprised to discover you claim to be a Christian, you do not have a good conscience toward men.

I believe the world has a higher standard for us Christians than the majority of us hold for ourselves. They know that if someone claims to be a Christian, there ought to be things they don't say or do. There ought to be a difference. If the people you intermingle with regularly would be surprised to discover you claim to be a Christian, you do not have a good conscience toward men.

All of us will stumble from time to time, yet, as leaders, we should desire that our lives would point others to Christ.

Leaders with a good conscience toward others are willing to limit their liberty in view of their responsibility to others.

1 Corinthians 8:9–13 KJV 1900

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

The topic at hand in is eating meat that had been offered to idols. Paul is expressing that, if it would be a stumbling block to a weaker Christian, he would not partake of it. This is personal discipline being exercised to maintain a good conscience toward man.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience

��of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

n And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

b. The second area we keep a good conscience toward men is through our witness.

We who have the truth of the gospel are responsible to share it with a lost and dying world.

1 Timothy 1:11 KJV 1900

According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

Christ specifically commanded us to share the gospel with others.

Matthew 28:19–20 KJV 1900

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Christ specifically commanded us to share the gospel with others.

If it is our purpose to be the light in this dark world, yet we never introduce them to Jesus, the Light of the World, would it not be considered that we have failed our purpose? How can we have a conscience void of offense if we never tell the lost about Jesus Christ?

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Conclusion

At the beginning of , we find Paul being evil spoken of. But because he had a good conscience, and it had been developed and it had been displayed, he was ready to give an answer to every man.

If we will be effective servants of the Lord in our culture, we likewise must develop and display a good conscience.

1 Peter 3:15–16 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

If we are making a difference for Christ, people will falsely accuse us. Our best defense is to have already been building a good conscience below the baseline.

16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

If we are making a difference for Christ, people will falsely accuse us. Our best defense is to have already been building a good conscience below the baseline.

��Study Questions

1. What are the four types of consciences we looked at in this lesson?

A good conscience, defiled conscience, evil conscience, and seared conscience

2. Having a good conscience isn't about being sinless. What is it?

It is about confessing and forsaking sin—not having anything between us and the Lord.

3. What is a defiled conscience?

A defiled conscience is held by someone who has allowed

the filter of their mind to be polluted.

4. What is an evil conscience?

The evil conscience has become comfortable with the

habitual allowance of sin.

5. What is a seared conscience?

A seared conscience has no feeling of conviction between

what is right and what is wrong.

6. What is the goal of maintaining a good conscience? Our goal is to please Jesus.

7. What are the two disciplines of exercising a

good conscience?

Death to self and being filled with the Spirit

📷8. How can we maintain a good conscience toward men? Through our testimony and our witness

Memory Verses

is But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

i6 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Related Media

Related Sermons