READ ACTS 24:1-23 

Acts 24:14-16, "...this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:  15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.  16And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."

Paul has been brought into a situation that necessitates him to give an account of himself before the Roman governor Felix.  Paul testifies in verse 16 that he lived his life in such a way that his conscience was right before God and men.  Our conscience is that part of our soul that helps us distinguish between right and wrong as our spirit is impacted by the Holy Spirit.  We need to develop our conscience based upon the Word of God.  If I am to know what is right or wrong I must have God's Word as my authority.  If the Word of God is not my authority, then I will develop a conscience that isn't right before God and others.  The world seems to say that we can live our lives however we want and there is no consciousness, there is no remorse there are no regrets ever. The devil constantly says, “It doesn’t matter." Today’s generation lives with the attitude “It doesn’t matter.”  But life matters, and so does having a conscience that brings glory to God. 

The Bible speaks of four possibilities concerning our conscience:

• We can have a good conscience, which is the desire of the Christian.

1 Timothy 1:19, "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:"

• We can have a defiled conscience, which is to stain our conscience with sin.

Titus 1:15-16, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate."

• We can have an evil conscience, which is also referred to as wicked. The idea is that the conscience is sick or diseased, and is not doing well.

Hebrews 10:22, "Let us draw near with a full true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

• Finally, it is possible for a person to have a seared conscience. This is a conscience that is branded (seared) by its own ways. This type of conscience has no Biblical morals, it is one that has been completely seared by sin.

1 Timothy 4:1-2, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

May we strive today to have a conscience that is right, that is good, that is in the condition God desires.  Let's keep the faith, do what is right according to God, live the golden rule as we interact with others, and seek, like Paul, to have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  From today’s devotion give a definition for the word conscience.

2.  What is wrong and dangerous with the following statement, “Let your conscience be your guide”?

3.  Of the four possibilities concerning conscience, which best describes you and why?

a. good b. defiled c. evil d. seared

4.  What steps should one take to ensure having a good conscience like the Apostle Paul?