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NASB | Romans 2:15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 2:15 They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts; and their conscience [their sense of right and wrong, their moral choices] bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or perhaps defending them |
Bible Question:
How did we get a conscience? If a person was brought up in a home where Homosexuality was considered right, and the person is not a christian, other than societal influences-what would cause that person to know that it is wrong? Scripture/verse please.... |
Bible Answer: Hi, Karrie25... Welcome to the forum! Conscience is, apparently, a part of the human mind. It weighs our deeds or lack of deeds, stimulating a change in behavior by causing feelings of guilt of varying intensity. Clearly the conscience is influenced by knowledge. I believe this is at least part of what Paul talks about in Romans. However, it is also clear from our own experience that knowledge plays a part (e.g., it is not possible to feel guilty for being late when you've arrived on time). In addition, it appears to be effected partly by chemistry in the body. It is also effected by our spiritual state. We are, indeed, wonderfully and fearfully made! God uses the conscience in the lives of the lost in order to maintain order in the world. (Can you imagine what the world would be like without it?) He also uses the conscience in believers to stimulate them to right behavior. Indeed, in regeneration the conscience becomes highly tuned to the direction by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Maintaining a "pure conscience" strengthens this part of our minds. Scripture commands us to be sensitive to both our own conscience and the conscience of others. This topic is a fascinating one, but ferreting out the details can get pretty involved. Christian theologians have searched the Scriptures, discussed, and deliberated over the nature of our minds for 2,000 years. There's a lot to read on the subject if you are so inclined. In Him, Doc |