"The Voice from Within"

“The Voice from Within”

Since 1811 the United States Treasury Department has maintained a Conscience Fund. It began with $5 from someone who presumably had cheated Uncle Sam in some way. Since then about $6 million has been deposited. The most noteworthy addition to the Fund was $1000 from a citizen who said he couldn’t sleep because he’d cheated on his taxes but added, “If I still can’t sleep I’ll send you the balance.” And a conniving character on an old TV show said, “Me and my conscience got an agreement. It don’t bother me and I don’t bother it!” (This may be a funny line in a sitcom but it’s anything but in real life relationships.) So there’s a big difference between what the Apostle Paul calls a clear conscience (1 Corinthians 4:2) and one which is seared (or rendered insensitive—1 Timothy 4:2).

Our English term comes from a Greek compound word meaning literally knowing together or co-perception. It’s a moral awareness based on a standard. After Adam’s and Eve’s sin in the Garden of Eden they knew they had done wrong before God and tried to hide from Him (Genesis 3). Later on it’s seen in David’s response to his sin surrounding Bathsheba (Psalm 51). And it’s our conscience which tells us we’ve done wrong in God’s sight and renders us guilty before Him (“Even when {those}, who do not have God’s written law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God’s law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right.”—Romans 2:14-15, NLT, emphasis added). In each case cited the standard is God’s truth.

Theologian Alfred Rehwinkle observed, “Conscience is a wonderful gift of God. It is a guardian of morality, justice and decency in the world.” Paul writes, “I am speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience (enlightened and prompted) by the Holy Spirit bearing witness with me….” (Romans 9:1, Amplified, emphasis added). It’s this voice from within that assures us that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16) and as His people redeemed by faith in Christ His Spirit lives within us and spurs our conscience “…that we may serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14).

We ignore our inner voice to our peril (“…Nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are defiled.”—Titus 1:15, NLT). How much better to “…strive always to keep (one’s) conscience clear before God and (people).” (Acts 24:16)! That’s the path which brings His blessing (Psalm 24:3-5).

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan