Sermon Outline
Introduction
What is the conscience?
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- BDAG: the inward faculty of distinguishing right and wrong…attentiveness to [internal] obligation[1]
- it isn’t identical with what we know, or with the Spirit of God within/outside us, or even with what we have been taught is right/wrong in our family and culture but it is informed by all of them (Rom 2:14-16)
- Paul’s Clear conscience (Acts 23:1, 24:16)
Does this mean that every time our conscience condemns us or acquits us that it is correct?
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- Simply because your conscience tells you something is right doesn’t make it right.
- Simply because your conscience tells you something is wrong, does that make it wrong?
- So, we need to ask ourselves – why do I feel this way and is it right to feel this way?
- As we ask that question, it is likely that we will find times, situations and circumstances in which we need to recalibrate or adjust our conscience. (1Cor 8:7-8)
- That is because sometimes our consciences are
- Weak
- Wounded
- Defiled
- How should we calibrate or adjust our conscience?
- Educate it with the Truth.
- First, we need to know the Truth in the Bible. (2Tim 2:15)
- Who God is.
- Who humans are.
- What salvation is and how it is accomplished.
- How the gospel is twisted according to the Word.
- Second, we need to know the Truth outside the Bible.
- First, we need to know the Truth in the Bible. (2Tim 2:15)
- Give time to apply these truths and retrain your overscrupulous or licentious internal siren.
- Consider these questions as you are recalibrating your conscience:
- John and Paul Feinberg, Ethics for a Brave New World, suggest when deciding whether to indulge or not in an activity:[2]
- “Am I fully persuaded that it is right? (Rom. 14:5, 14, 23)
- Can I do it as unto the Lord? (Rom. 14:6-8)
- Can I do it without being a stumbling block to my brother or sister in Christ? (Rom. 14:13, 15, 20-22)
- Does it bring peace? (Rom. 14:17-18)
- Does it edify my brother? (Rom. 14:19)
- Is it profitable? (1 Cor. 6:12)
- Does it enslave me? (1 Cor. 6:12)
- Does it bring glory to God? (1 Cor. 10:31)”
- John and Paul Feinberg, Ethics for a Brave New World, suggest when deciding whether to indulge or not in an activity:[2]
- Educate it with the Truth.
- That is because sometimes our consciences are
How can we relate to other Christians when our consciences disagree?
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- (1Cor 13)
- Quietly (Rom 14:22-15:2)
The Goal of Christian Freedom
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- “the freedom to discipline yourself to be flexible for the sake of the gospel.”
Christ as the Healer of our Conscience (Hebrews 9:13-14)
[1] https://accordance.bible/link/read/BDAG#20612. “suneidhsis”
[2] Naselli, Andrew & J.D. Crowley, Conscience: What it is, How to train it and Loving those who differ. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016)
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