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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | clear conscience | 1 Tim 3:2 | kalos | 7229 | ||
conscience 1 a : the sense of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct, intentions, or character together with a feeling of obligation to do right or be good (Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary). *************************** Conscience that faculty of the mind, or inborn sense of right and wrong, by which we judge of the moral character of human conduct. It is common to all men. Like all our other faculties, it has been perverted by the Fall. It is spoken of as "defiled" , and "seared". A "conscience void of offence" is to be sought and cultivated This dictionary topic is from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely. (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Dictionaries/EastonsBibleDictionary/ebd.cgi) *************************** Conscience Conscience is a term that describes an aspect of a human being's self-awareness. It is part of a person's internal rational capacity and is not, as popular lore sometimes suggests, an audience room for the voice of God or of the devil. Conscience is a critical inner awareness that bears witness to the norms and values we recognize and apply. The complex of values with which conscience deals includes not only those we own, but the entire range of values to which we are exposed during life's journey. Consequently, there is always a sense of struggle in our reflective process. The witness of conscience makes its presence known by inducing mental anguish and feelings of guilt when we violate the values we recognize and apply. Conscience also provides a sense of pleasure when we reflect on conformity to our value system. (...) Conclusion. Conscience is an aspect of self-awareness that produces the pain and/or pleasure we "feel" as we reflect on the norms and values we recognize and apply. Conscience is not an outside voice. It is a inward capacity humans possess to critique themselves because the Creator provided this process as a means of moral restraint for his creation. The critique conscience exercises related to the value system which a person develops. Romans 12:1-2 makes the point that God desires that his creation conform to divine values by a process of rational renewal. The Scriptures provide the content for this renewal. Gary T. Meadors. Bibliography. P. W. Gooch, NTS33 (1987); R. Jewett, Paul's Anthropological Terms; C. S. Lewis, Studies in Words; C. A. Pierce, Conscience in the New Testament; M. E. Thrall, NTS14 (1964). (Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology . Edited by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books.) (Note: the definitions given here are not for the purpose of starting a boring, eternal quarrel over the definition of conscience. Instead, it is hoped that members will read the definitions and then move right along to answer the original question. So that people can get started, I have quoted 3 definitions.) |
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2 | clear conscience | 1 Tim 3:2 | Makarios | 8557 | ||
JVH0212, a long time ago, we were in a discussion about 'conscience' and you asked for a definition or description of conscience that was based upon a credible Bible scholar rather than what someone felt it is.. I had a source, but I didn't have the time to post it. "What Does the Bible Say About.." (Nelson, pg.85) "The conscience provides our inner awareness of conforming to the will of God or departing from it, resulting in either a sense of approval or condemnation. The term does not appear in the Old Testament but the concept does. David, for example, was smitten in his heart because of his lack of trust in the power of God (2 Sam. 24:10). But his guilt turned to joy when he sought the Lord's forgiveness (Psalm 32). In the New Testament the term "conscience" is found most frequently in the writings of the apostle Paul. Some people argue erroneously that conscience takes the place of the external law in the Old Testament. However, the conscience is not the ultimate standard of moral goodness (1 Cor. 4:4). Under both the old covenant and the new covenant the conscience must be formed by the will of God. The law given to Israel was inscribed on the hearts of believers (Heb. 8:10; 10:16), so the sensitized conscience is able to discern God's judgment against sin (Romans 2:14-15). The conscience of the believer has been cleansed by the work of Jesus Christ; it no longer accuses and condemns (Heb. 9:14; 10:22). Believers are to work to maintain pure consciences. They also must be careful not to encourage others to act against their consciences. To act contrary to the urging of one's conscience is wrong, for actions that go against the conscience cannot arise out of faith (1 Cor. 8:7-13; 10:23-30)." I submit this only to supplement what you have already posted here, which was excellent! Nolan |
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