What is the Biblical Requirement for having a Clear Conscience?

[Naraiel]

Hi Everybody,

I opened this thread for discussion but I kindly request to use the Bible as your source of arguments, "for those who have the mind of Christ" will use the Scriptures to testify, as Christ did.

Here are the few quotes I found,

"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." Acts 24:16

"And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." Acts 23:1

"Now the end of the commandment is love out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: " 1 Tim 1:5

"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; 2 Tim 1:3

Quote:

"Saul’s stubbornness in persisting before Samuel that he had obeyed God, was an iniquity and idolatry. His love to carry out his own will was more desirable to him than to obtain the favor of God, or the approbation of a clear conscience. And when his sin was opened clearly before him, and his wrong definitely pointed out, his pride of opinion, his excessive self-love, led him to justify himself in his wrong course, in defiance of the reproof of Samuel, and the word of the Lord by the mouth of his prophet.Such obstinacy in a known transgression, separated him forever from God.

He knew that he had gone contrary to God’s express command; yet when reproved by God through Samuel, he would not humbly acknowledge his sin, but in a determined manner uttered a falsehood in self-justification...And the Lord no more communicated with Saul, or instructed him through Samuel. He had chosen to follow his own will, and had rejected the word of the Lord. God left him to be guided by his own judgment, which he had chosen to follow rather than to obey God." The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1, Page 366-367

The Word of God also tell us: "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries." Read Hebrews 10:26-29

The Conclusion seems to be that "Redemeed Christians DO NOT commit willful/known sins, otherwise "they will be trodding under foot the Son of God, and profaning the blood of the covenant" (Hebrews 10:29) Therefore, Can someone expand with the Bible a little bit more on 1 Jhon 5:16-18?

How can we have a clean conscience before God and men unless we know what Christ expect from us, as new creatures?

[Gail]

Quote:

How can we have a clean conscience before God and men unless we know what Christ expect from us, as new creatures?

Two verses immediately come to mind:

"If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority." John 7:17, NKJV

and:

Matthew 16:24: "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

IOW, denying self and walking with Jesus, that is, as He walked.

[Gail]

Nice to see a new member posting, BTW!

[Sheila7]

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Phillippians 4:9

"Through faith, God's grace works to do good in a believer's life. Daily he is being conformed to the image and quality of the God he serves. Recognize, O Christian, whom God has made you and do well according this truth. And peace will be your! So says the Word of the Lord!"

Living each day this faith, and doing His will leads to a clear conscience of peace. How do we know what we are living (doing) is His will? A text comes to mind: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Sheila7

[Gail]

"Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Phillippians 4:9

"Through faith, God's grace works to do good in a believer's life. Daily he is being conformed to the image and quality of the God he serves. Recognize, O Christian, whom God has made you and do well according this truth. And peace will be your! So says the Word of the Lord!"

Living each day this faith, and doing His will leads to a clear conscience of peace. How do we know what we are living (doing) is His will? A text comes to mind: "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Sheila7

I love that verse! "Being transformed by the renewing of your mind"

Nice to see you posting, too, Sheila!

[Dr. Rich]

Hello Narial, as to your question and 1John 5:16-18, please read the rest of what John wrote and perhaps you will get the drift of what this means.

I see that you are using words from someone other than an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry and I have found that will just cause you lots of trouble and confusion. Try using the words of Jesus ONLY to answer your questions and see where that gets you.

As I see things right now, NO ONE has truely been born again of the Holy Spirit since Jesus left this earth. Why do I say that? Because everyone has been deceived by the words of Paul, Luke and the unknown writer of Hebrews. It is was Paul who invented the religion called for those who call themself a christian. Did you notice how Paul wanted his followers to do what Paul did? How come Paul didn't say to do as Jesus did? Huh?

There is only ONE way to have a clear conscience and that is to repent and practice the truth, that being the words of Jesus given to us by His eyewitnesses. (John 14:26 and 17:17-20)

[Gail]

Micah 6:8

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

This looks simple enough, but try being both just and merciful like our God is. And humble! But by beholding Jesus, we will be changed, from glory to glory, even while waiting for Him to come.

[Pastor_Chick]

This thread prompts other questions in my mind.

1) Is it "prideful" to say, "I have lived according to my conscience"?

2) Is there a difference in saying, "I have lived according to my conscience," and saying, "I have committed no known sins"?

3) And then, how do those statements differ from professing to have victory over all known sin?

[Naraiel]

Gail and Sheila 7,

Thank you very much for using the Bible as your only source of argument, and please continue to do so. For I am only interested in what the Bible says, including all its books. BTW, thanks Gail for noticing I am a new poster

The Scriptures you have shared here are very useful, and answers in part some of my questions.

Gail for example shared Matthew 16:24 & John 7:17

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

So Jesus is expecting from us, as Cristians, to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him, in other words, to reflect His character, including His mercy and His humility like Gaul said.

According to the Bible quote Sheila shared, we have a clear conscience by doing those things we know or that we have learned from God's word. Thanks both

I think I need someone to expand a little bit more on what 1 Jhon 5: 16-18 means, What is the apostle Jhon talking about when he says there are sins unto death, and sins not unto death?

Quote:

"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

Can someone answer me with the Bible? May be Pastor Chick could expand a little bit on this?

[olger]

Consequences of failing to have a clear conscience:

- 1 Timothy 1:18-19

- Psalms 32:1,3,4

- Hebrews 5:13-14

- 1 Peter 3:15-16

- Titus 1:15

Value of a clear conscience:

- 1 Timothy 1:5

- 1 peter 2:19

- Psalm 66:18

- 1 John 3:19-22

- II Cor. 4:2-5

hope that help some. Glorify God !

g

[Dr. Rich]

Welcome Naraiel, your question is really a good one. Check out the OT book of Levitictus on this issue and I am sure you will find your answers.

[Israfel]

I think I need someone to expand a little bit more on what 1 Jhon 5: 16-18 means, What is the apostle Jhon talking about when he says there are sins unto death, and sins not unto death?

Quote:

"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."

Can someone answer me with the Bible? May be Pastor Chick could expand a little bit on this?

"When Saul turned away from the reproof sent him by God's

Holy Spirit, and persisted in his stubborn self-justification, he rejected the only means by which God could work to save him from himself. He had willfully separated himself from God. He could not receive divine help or guidance until he should return to God by confession of his sin". {PP 633.3}

From the life of Saul, we see that his sin [sins] was unto death, for he never repented. Today, God has not changed, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Those who persit in a wrong course of action despite the reproofs and warnings of Gods' holy messengers, will have sinned the unpardonable sin. Unpardonable not because our Heavenly Father wills not to forgive them but because they have not repented or they persisted in the sin-repent cycle, wilfully. Is the bible right on this point, about wilfull sin? I believe so.

Romans 6:16 "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? "

Hebrews 10:26,27 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

to obey is better than sacrifice.

"To obey is better than sacrifice." The sacrificial offerings were in themselves of no value in the sight of God. They were designed to express on the part of the offerer penitence for sin and faith in Christ and to pledge future obedience to the law of God. But without penitence, faith, and an obedient heart, the offerings were worthless. When, in direct violation of God's command, Saul proposed to present a sacrifice of that which God had devoted to destruction, open contempt was shown for the divine authority. The service would have been an insult to Heaven. Yet with the sin of Saul and its result before us, how many are pursuing a similar course. While they refuse to believe and obey some requirement of the Lord, they persevere in offering up to God their formal services of religion. There is no response of the Spirit of God to such service. No matter how zealous men may be in their observance of religious ceremonies, the Lord cannot accept them if they persist in willful violation of one of His commands."[size:14pt] {PP 679.1}

Now we can compare the attitude of David, when he sinned in contrast with Saul's.

[miz3]

Naraiel,

Try having the Holy Spirit give your mind a good thorough cleansing by asking God to send the Holy Spirit to change your carnality and to teach you the Truth as found in the Scripture!

[BarbaraLynn]

This thread prompts other questions in my mind.

1) Is it "prideful" to say, "I have lived according to my conscience"?

2) Is there a difference in saying, "I have lived according to my conscience," and saying, "I have committed no known sins"?

3) And then, how do those statements differ from professing to have victory over all known sin?

Pastor Chick,

I have found the following scriptures where the subject matter of each of your questions is spoken of. Using them, I will answer your questions below.

1) Acts 23:1 "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 being prideful when he made this statement, but was only stating the fact.

2) 1 John 3:9 "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

Since we, as born-again individuals, do not commit any 'known' sin, it is not prideful to admit that fact. This verse states that the reason is that we are born of God, which means God gets the credit.

I believe that 'living in all good conscience' is the same thing as 'not committing any known sin'.

3) 1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

This verse says that we, as born-again individuals, overcome the world (sin), and that this also means we have 'victory' over the world (sin).

When we have victory over all known sin, we are not committing any known sins, and are living according to our conscience. I would say they are all the same. To confess to be doing these things, is, according to these scriptures, the same as stating that we have been born again.

That is not prideful. We can not be born again by our own doing. It is only by the power of God. If this is in any way 'prideful' or 'boasting', it is only 'boasting in the Lord', which is acceptable and good.

[Pastor_Chick]

Thank you, BL,

I was thinking it must be as you say.

[Naraiel]

So, according to the Word, the requirement to have a clear conscience is to born again in Christ, for those whom the Spirit of Christ dwells will not continue to commit known sins [sins unto death] In other words, God's sons and daughters will not go against their own consciences, neither against the knowledge they have received from God's words and revelations.

This is why they can boast in the Lord for having a clear conscience before God and men, for they are not longer rebellious to His path of love.

Rebellion and stubbornness is the same as iniquity and idolatry. This attitude ONLY commits sins unto death, because the individuals choose to reject God's voice and good principles, prompted by His Holy Spirit to their consciences.

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." James 4: 17.

Quote:

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26-27

“[saul] knew that he had gone contrary to God’s express command; yet when reproved by God through Samuel, he would not humbly acknowledge his sin, but in a determined manner uttered a falsehood in self-justification...And the Lord no more communicated with Saul, or instructed him through Samuel. He had chosen to follow his own will, and had rejected the word of the Lord. God left him to be guided by his own judgment, which he had chosen to follow rather than to obey God." The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 1, Page 366-367

“Woe to the rebellious children [of Israel], saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.” Isaias 30:1-3

“And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them [children of Israel], neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” Eze 2:6-7

These last two Bible passages should warn us that even religious or spiritual people are not immune to rebellious spirits; unless they are new criatures in Christ.

These are marvelous news. I mean to be new creatures in Christ Jesus,to have clean consciences and victory from Above over the world's and the devil's temptations.

Now I have another question,

Was Christ demanding us an imposibility by telling us to be perfect as our father in Heaven is perfect?

What kind of perfection was Christ referring to?

[Please remember to quote from the Bible to reply, thanks]

[Israfel]

Now I have another question,

Was Christ demanding us an imposibility by telling us to be perfect as our father in Heaven is perfect?

What kind of perfection was Christ referring to?

[Please remember to quote from the Bible to reply, thanks]

Naraiel,

First I would like to answer your second question above by another question from which answers we find the answer to yours: How is the Father perfect? It would be interesting to find those attributes.

I am thinking of this one right now:

When Moses asked Him to see his glory:

"And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,

34:7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]" Exodus 34:6.7

For to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect, is to possess his attributes that He has revealed unto us, because:

"The secret [things belong] unto the LORD our God: but those [things which are] revealed [belong] unto us and to our children for ever, that [we] may do all the words of this law. " Deuteronomy 29:29

While on verse is not sufficient to support a doctrine or principle, this verse alone contains several attributes.

[Dr. Rich]

The simple truth of the matter is this: Rev. 12:17 Keep all of the commandments of God and the words (testimony) of Jesus Christ. If you do this you will be righteous. (doing what is right).

[Pastor_Chick]

The simple truth of the matter is this: Rev. 12:17 Keep all of the commandments of God and the words (testimony) of Jesus Christ. If you do this you will be righteous. (doing what is right).

Rich,

That really sounds "simple."

Is "having a clear conscience" and being "righteous," the same thing? In addition, can we depend on conscience as our guide?

[Dr. Rich]

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

The simple truth of the matter is this: Rev. 12:17 Keep all of the commandments of God and the words (testimony) of Jesus Christ. If you do this you will be righteous. (doing what is right).

Rich,

That really sounds "simple."

Is "having a clear conscience" and being "righteous," the same thing? In addition, can we depend on conscience as our guide?

No. Paul said he had a clear conscience but also admitted that he was not righteous. Many people say that have a clear conscience but they are still believing in lies because they intentionally want to remain sitting on the fence like those Jesus finds distastful and wants to spit them out.

It takes guts to choose the narrow gate because so few are on that narrow road to everlasting life. Reading Revelation you will find that it is the DEEDS of people that count--not the faith. Of course this does not agree with the gospel Paul writes about, but then Paul never knew Jesus and admited he never learned the truth from the disciples.

Jesus prayed to His Father for those who believe in the words of Jesus because they have read them from the eyewitness disciples as found in John 17. Jesus never prayed for those who read the words of Paul or EGW. To me, it is very comforting to KNOW that this means that Jesus was actually praying to His Father for ME! That is awesome!

[Pastor_Chick]

Originally Posted By: Pastor_Chick

Rich' date='

That really sounds "simple."

Is "having a clear conscience" and being "righteous," the same thing? In addition, can we depend on conscience as our guide?

Originally Posted By: Dr. Rich

No. Paul said he had a clear conscience but also admitted that he was not righteous. Many people say that have a clear conscience but they are still believing in lies because they intentionally want to remain sitting on the fence like those Jesus finds distastful and wants to spit them out.

It takes guts to choose the narrow gate because so few are on that narrow road to everlasting life. Reading Revelation you will find that it is the DEEDS of people that count--not the faith. Of course this does not agree with the gospel Paul writes about, but then Paul never knew Jesus and admited he never learned the truth from the disciples.

Jesus prayed to His Father for those who believe in the words of Jesus because they have read them from the eyewitness disciples as found in John 17. Jesus never prayed for those who read the words of Paul or EGW. To me, it is very comforting to KNOW that this means that Jesus was actually praying to His Father for ME! That is awesome! [/quote']

So, your answers to my two questions were

1) No, and

2) No

That would have been "simple" enough.

[Pastor_Chick]

Here is a fine passage of relevance to this topic.

Take your conscience to the Word of God and see if

your life and character are in accordance with the standard

of righteousness which God has there revealed. You

can then determine whether or not you have an intelligent

faith and what manner of conscience is yours. The

conscience of man cannot be trusted unless it is under

the influence of divine grace. Satan takes advantage of

an unenlightened conscience, and thereby leads men

into all manner of delusions, because they have not made

the Word of God their counselor. (RH 09-03-01)

[Naraiel]

I was reading other posters' posts and I found an interesting quote that relates in a way to what poster Israfel was saying about Christian Perfection, the quote is found here:

http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthread...tml#Post449532.

For now, I would like to share a few quotes I found regarding conscience.

Quote:

Rejecting Conscience Is a Fearful Danger—Day by day men and women are deciding their eternal destiny. I have been shown that many are in great danger. When a man will do or say anything to gain his end, nothing but the power of God can save him. His character needs to be transformed before he can have a good conscience, void of offense toward God and man. Self must die, and Christ must take possession of the soul temple. When, by rejecting the light that God has given, men abuse and trample upon the conscience, they are in fearful danger. Their future eternal welfare is imperiled.— Letter 162, 1903.Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, Page 320

---------

"Violated Conscience Is Weakened—A conscience once violated is greatly weakened. It needs the strength of constant watchfulness and unceasing prayer. Testimonies for the Church 2:90, 91 (1868).

"Violated Conscience Becomes Unreliable—He who after hearing the truth turns from it because to accept it would retard his success in business lines turns from God and the light. He sells his soul in a cheap market. His conscience will ever be unreliable. He has made a bargain with Satan, violating his conscience, which if kept pure and upright, would have been of more value to him than the whole world. He who refuses light partakes of the fruit of disobedience, as did Adam and Eve in Eden.— Manuscript 27, 1900.

Loss of Conscious Integrity Paralyzes Energies—When you lose your conscious integrity, your soul becomes a battlefield for Satan; you have doubts and fears enough to paralyze your energies and drive you to discouragement. When the favor of God was gone, you know that some of you have tried to supply the place and seek compensation for the loss of the Holy Spirit’s witness that you are a child of God in worldly excitement, in the society of worldlings.— Letter 14, 1885.

Violated Conscience Becomes a Tyrant—Conscience violated becomes a tyrant over other consciences.— Letter 88, 1896.Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 1, Page 321

[BarbaraLynn]

Here is a fine passage of relevance to this topic.

Originally Posted By: EGW

Take your conscience to the Word of God and see if

your life and character are in accordance with the standard

of righteousness which God has there revealed. You

can then determine whether or not you have an intelligent

faith and what manner of conscience is yours. The

conscience of man cannot be trusted unless it is under

the influence of divine grace. Satan takes advantage of

an unenlightened conscience, and thereby leads men

into all manner of delusions, because they have not made

the Word of God their counselor. (RH 09-03-01)

Thank you for this quote. It makes it 'very simple' and clearly states that the Biblical requirement is to:

1. Have our conscience enlightened by the Bible

And

2. Follow what the Bible teaches (and therefore is our conscience)

Then, we we will have a clear conscience.