Freed from Blameless Conscience
“That is why I always try my best to maintain a blameless conscience before God and before men.
increase. ”(Acts 24:16).
Since ancient times, people say, "Listen to your heart!" In other words, "Live according to your own ideas!" Unfortunately, there are limits to this. This is because our hearts and thoughts, living in this world, are influenced and shaped by the values of this world.
Until we came to Christ, the values of this world were our standard. Therefore, many people live not from real guilt, but from a false sense of guilt that was formed during childhood. Satan uses it as a fortress to accuse us day and night. (Revelation 12:10)
Many people, even though they hear from the Scriptures, "Therefore now there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1), they do not know the voices of their hearts, their thoughts. panting under the accusations of Satan, seeking the perfection dictated by the They are not just being influenced, they are being controlled. Because they seek the approval of the people of this world. Paul says: "Am I trying to please people now? No. To God. Or am I trying to please people? If I am still trying to please people Therefore, I cannot be called a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Our thoughts were made in this world, and we should base our thoughts on the basis of biblical truths in what we believe. It has to be new. In Romans 14, Paul says of morals, "Whatever faith you have, keep it as your faith before God. Happy are those who are not judged for what they think is good." (Romans 14:22), teaching us how we should walk.
On the other hand, however, out of consideration for our brothers who are weak in faith, we also teach that we should limit our freedom so as not to cause stumbling blocks. Because we have no right to take away the freedom of others. Paul says: "Therefore, I always do my best to maintain a blameless conscience before God and before men" (Acts 24:16).
If we believe in Christ and take Christ as our standard, let us be careful with our hearts. Because the Holy Spirit works through our hearts and renews our thinking.
“Thank you, Lord, for You refresh our thoughts and hearts daily with Your Word.”
(Neil Anderson)
Folklore advises, "Let your conscience be your guide." This has serious limitations since our conscience is a function of our mind. Having been conformed to this world, the conscience can be programmed wrongly.
It is always true to its own standard. Until we come to Christ, the standard is the world system in which we were raised. Many people are falsely guided by a guilty conscience - not a true guilt, but a psychological guilt usually developed in early childhood. Satan works through this stronghold to accuse the brethren day and night (Revelation 12:10).
People like this are usually perfectionists who labor under condemnation, even though the Bible says there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). They aren't led; are driven.
They constantly look for affirmation. a bond-servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
Chapter 14 of Romans deals with how we should walk in regard to non-moral issues. Paul says, "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves" (Romans 14:22) .
However, we are to restrict our freedom if it causes a weaker brother to stumble. We never have the right to violate another person's conscience. Paul says, "I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men" (Acts 24:16).
Be very cautious about going against your own conscience once you are committed to Christ. The Holy Spirit does work through our consciences as He seeks to renew our minds.
Thank You, Lord, that my mind and conscience can be renewed daily through the power of Your Word.
―Neil Anderson―