Keeping Our Conscience Clear

If we're going to lead lives where we excel in faith and business while representing Christ well as a true witness, we must keep our conscience clear.

Paul instructs Timothy, a true son in the faith, these very words so that his faith would not be shipwrecked. These very words apply to all believers today.

18 Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s battles. 19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. 20 Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God.– 1 Timothy 1:18–20

What is Conscience

Conscience is defined as an inner knowing or self-awareness of one's own right or wrong choice in behavior. It is a sense of right and wrong, and keeping our conscience clean is key to walking a life of integrity. Without this, our faith is doomed to being shipwrecked because we will never have confidence before God to live out the life of faith that He calls us to.

Imagine understanding the price that Jesus paid for our sins, and yet continuing to purposely sin, even if the sin at hand may be 'small' in nature. I used to justify white lies because what the person in front of me didn't know wouldn't hurt them. In the situation, the white lie helped promote peace in the environment – and a swirl of chaos in my heart. You see, though it's intended target was to keep the peace, because I am aware of the reality that God sees everything, I can no longer be confident in my prayers unless I make the situation right between God and the person (in certain cases – let that be between you and God).

I could allow this chaos to lead me to the feet of Jesus in repentance, or I could ignore it, and thus scar my conscience. Sooner or later, another situation arises where I could choose right or wrong behavior, and the more I scar my conscience through wrong behavior, the more prone I am to having what is called a seared conscience.

To have a seared conscience is to be in a state where one's sense of right and wrong is dulled, and thus, all sensitivity is lost and wrong behavior rules supreme. Searing is good depending on the context. I like my steaks seared. My skin? Not so much. If you haven't been burned, don't. It's not a pleasant experience – especially coming from an iron when all you want to do is get your clothes looking proper. Our conscience was meant to be clear so that we would have great confidence toward God in terms of our prayers to Him (that He would listen), our right standing before Him through Christ (which we will doubt if we don't follow Christ's commands), etc.

If we're going to be an effective witness in the marketplace, we must be diligent in choosing right behavior, which means admitting to one's own faults should they come.

What's Our Cause?

The Christian is to be 'filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith' (1 Timothy 1:5 NLT). God's desire is to save sinners, that they may inherit eternal life. If we are not filled with such a love, then our motives are bound to be filled with mixture, and mixture is no good. If you add a little leaven to bread dough, then the whole bread dough will rise. If you mingle with sin just a little, it has the capability of causing utter darkness within your whole self, with one action chaining to the next.

We must live with resolute purpose of being an instrument of righteousness, that we may represent Christ to this world in a worthy manner. There are countless articles in the news today about the next well-known Christian leader who has fallen from their place through some wicked act. Is there opportunity for repentance? Yes. However, lives are damaged in the process, and where trust used to be present is now gone from the masses. According to a ChristianPost article from the Gallup poll, a survey found 'that only 30% of Americans rate clergy as highly honest and ethical, continuing a downward trend.' To have that little trust in pastors and those in ministry shows how far we've descended from a clear conscience and the mission we've been called to.

Using Prophetic Promises To Win Battles

Paul tells Timothy instructions in his letter based on the prophetic words spoken to Timothy with an exhortation of fighting well with them. Instructions are great, especially when building lego sets of what seems to be innumerable pieces. Paul's instructions were rooted on prophetic words that Timothy could recall being spoken into His life.

When I received prophetic words in terms of leading in business and inventions, I did not think highly of them at first due to my present circumstances. It was only until I began to look to the Lord for the fulfillment of such words that I began to use them as motivation for a patient endurance, knowing that I must undergo a process of outworking to get to that outcome. I am not there yet, but prophetic promises spoken to me by members of the church and God's own words to me declared through dreams and visions keep me moving forward step by step towards His destiny for me.

Thus, when presented with an opportunity for sin, I could recall these promises, and use God's word to dismantle their attempt at my downfall.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

This scripture is lovely because the Holy Spirit always provides a way of escape for us. We can rest in confidence knowing that God helps us to choose what is right as we lean into Him and cast our cares upon Him.

What are some prophetic promises spoken over you that you can use to win your battles?

In Closing

There is much to do in the world we live in, and we have a duty to fulfill. Though I speak in what may seem to be militant terms, we must remember that we're not called to live like civilians, but as soldiers. Soldiers discipline themselves for a duty that civilians don't have a part in. As such, we must be diligent to guard our heart (Proverbs 4:23) and keep a clear conscience so that we may live a life of excellent faith that shows itself in beautiful displays of works done for the glory of God.

May the following scripture bring us back to the awareness that we are the salt of the earth:

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:13–16