Broken-Down Conscience - Broken-Down House: The Sinfulness Of Sin (Part 5)

THE SINFULNESS OF SIN TITUS 1:15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. CONSCIENCE BY NASELLI & CROWLEY WHAT IS THE CONSCIENCE? Not… …an angel on your shoulder …merely a little voice in your head WHAT IS THE CONSCIENCE? Biblical Data 30x in the New Testament (2x in Acts, 20x by Paul, 5x in Hebrews, 3x in 1Peter) WHAT IS THE CONSCIENCE? Romans 2:15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them WHAT IS THE CONSCIENCE? Romans 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit DEFINITIONS •The conscience is your consciousness of what you believe is right and wrong. (page 25) •A God-given internal witness that either accuses or excuses you. •A personal alarm system that warns you about sin. CLARIFICATIONS •Conscience produces different results for different people based on different moral standards. •Conscience can change. •Conscience functions as a guide, monitor, witness and judge. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES •Genesis 42 – Joseph’s brothers •2 Samuel 12 – Nathan confronts King David •John 4 – Jesus and the woman at the well MAIN PURPOSE •To warn against sin •To feel sin and avoid sin IS IT ALWAYS ACCURATE? •If your conscience is clear, does that mean you’re not sinning? •If your conscience is bothering you, does that mean you’re in sin? BROKEN DOWN CONSCIENCE • weak (1 Cor. 8:7, 10, 12) • wounded (1 Cor. 8:12) • defiled (1 Cor. 8:7; Titus 1:15) • encouraged or emboldened to sin (1 Cor. 8:10) • evil or guilty (Heb. 10:22) • seared as with a hot iron (1 Tim. 4:2) GOOD USE OF YOUR CONSCIENCE Two Important Principles: •Obey Your Conscience •God is the Only Lord of Your Conscience GOOD USE OF YOUR CONSCIENCE Calibrate Your Conscience •By the Gospel Generally (i.e. Justification) •By the Bible Specifically (i.e. Acts 10) GOOD USE OF YOUR CONSCIENCE •Obey it •Calibrate it •Respect others and their conscience