About conscience

 BY Argie Simonis

In the previous lesson "God & science" I referred to the role of science in our lives and how it aligns and harmonizes with the Word of God. Everything I have written is addressed to people who have the fear of God in their conscience and really seek to come to the knowledge of the truth. However, there are many people who do not belong to this category, with whom I will deal today. Our subject is the conscience of man under the light of the Word of God.

I quote the definition of consciousness:

"Conscience is the mental capacity of an organism which allows it, to the extension of its senses, to know and understand itself, its environment, what is happening around it and within it and to have as much as possible the sense of" position " and its importance to the world and the impact of its actions. " Source: Wikipedia

In the letter to the Romans the apostle Paul writes:

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth by means of unrighteousness.For all that is known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.Since, his invisibles are clearly seen from the time of the creation of the world, as they are understood through his creations, and his eternal power and divinity, so that they are incalculable.For when they knew God, they neither glorified him nor pleased him, but in vain reasoned they sought vain things, and their foolish heart was darkened." Rom. 1:18-21

Paul's purpose in verses 18-20 was to explain why the Gospel is God's power for salvation (Romans 1:16). The problem was that then, as today, most people believed that the way to reach God was to be condemned and terrorised by the fear of hell. People doubted that Paul's good news of God's love would be enough to cause them to repent. Thus, Paul began to prove that each person already has an instinctive knowledge of God's wrath against his sin.

We do not need to prove God's wrath. God has already done it. You do not have to be a Christian to know that murder, lying and stealing, for example, are not right. What people need to know is the good news, the gospel, that God has placed all His wrath for our sins on His own Son, Jesus Christ, so that we can receive complete forgiveness. This is the good news that will attract people to God and not the bad news, that is, the fear of hell:

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love" A 'Ιωάν. 4:18

"Or despise you the riches of his goodness and forbearance and long-suffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?" Rom. 2: 4

In Romans 1: 18-20, Paul declares that God was revealed to all mankind. The Old Testament Scriptures proclaim that God was revealed to all through nature:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day to day utters speech, and night to night shows knowledge.There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19: 1-3

The apostle Paul stated that there is an "intuition", a revelation of God within every person. This instinctive knowledge that has been given to all of us is called conscience and Paul explains it below:

"For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law to themselves:Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another" Rom. 2: 14-15

In Romans 1:20, Paul said that this inner testimony of God enables one to see clearly the invisible things of God and to understand the meaning of Deity. Therefore, no one will be able to stand before God on the Day of Judgment and say, "God is not just." He gave all living people, no matter how distant or isolated, the opportunity to know Him. There is no excuse!

The question that arises here is: If all this is true, then why can we no longer observe this intuitive knowledge of God in the lives of those who have not heard the Gospel? Paul also answers this:

"Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. " Rom. 1:21-23

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

Apostasy is a sign of the end times. Paul warns us not to be deceived "Because the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" 2 Thessalonians 2:7

Although the origin of false teaching comes from these wicked spirits, it is humans who are being used to spreading these teachings. These propagandists are hypocrites and have seared their conscience. They are people who speak, inspired by demons.That is why it is very important, especially in the wicked times we live in, to examine everything under the light of the Scriptures with conscience and fear of God so we are carried away by any wind of delusion and intimidation.

I will close this message here with a favorite verse and with the hope that the light of the Word of God will enlighten your heart as well:

"Now thanks be to God, which always causes us to triumph in Christ, and makes manifest the aroma of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are to God a sweet smell of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish. To the one we are the smell of death to death; and to the other the smell of life to life. " 2Cor. 2:14-16

Amen!

Watch the video with english subs on our YouTube channel: