Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience... (Heb 10:22)
Jeremiah spoke to the children of Israel in Jer. 5:30-31, “An astonishing and horrible thing has been committed in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priest rule by their own power, and my people love to have it so. But what will you do in the end?”
These people were following religious practices to accomplish their own purposes resulting in the oppression of those who really needed God. Jeremiah tells them in Jer. 7:21-24, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”
They knew all the rules and were experts at saying the right things and performing for others to see. However, there was no real love, mercy or compassion in their hearts. Jeremiah 9:8 says, Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait.”
They thought that they were doing great because they looked good on the outside. They believed their own lies and were filled with their own deceit. They were following their religion and looking good but their hearts were not in tune with God. They patted each other on the back and told leaders how great they were. Everyone loves to be part of a successful team and by every external measure, they were. Things looked fine and they were prospering.
Jeremiah told them in Jer. 9:23-24, “Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the Lord.”
What the people failed to do was stop and check their conscience. Even after receiving many, many warnings by Jeremiah, they continued to follow their wicked ways and their works of religion. Jeremiah 11:8 says, “yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates of his evil heart.”
Conscious is the Greek word suneidesis, Strongs #4893. It is the witness by which we know if our conduct is in line with the will of God and designed to govern our lives. It either condemns or commends us for our behavior. When we violate it, it gives a sense of guiltiness before God [and nudging to repent]. [1] Another source notes that it is our 'internal voice' that tells us right from wrong [2].
Our conscience is shaped by the will of God. And since the law is inscribed on the hearts of believers (Heb. 8:10; 10:16), this sensitized conscience is able able to discern God’s judgment against sin (Rom. 2:14–15). [3]
Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thought accusing or else excusing them.”
The conscience needs to be redeemed when we come to know Christ. Ephesians 4:17-18 says about unbelievers, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”
Commentary notes, that the conscience of the believer is cleansed by Christ and no longer accuses and condemns (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22). [4] There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Hebrews 9:14 says, “ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Having a conscience that is cleansed from evil can only be brought about only by the new birth according to one commentary. It goes on to state, “When we trust Christ, we appropriate the value of His blood. Figuratively speaking, we sprinkle our hearts with it, just as the Israelites sprinkled their doors with the blood of the Passover lamb. This delivers us from an evil conscience. Our testimony is:
We do this by our choices. We work to maintain pure consciences by our obedience to the will of God. Spiritual disciplines and reading and meditating on the Word of God also help us to maintain a pure conscience.
Hebrews 4:13 says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
It is our conscience that leads us to repentance for our sins against God. When we lack a sense of peace and joy in our lives, it is an indication that we need to repent. David says in Psalm 38:6 about his sin, “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.”
As I mentioned last week, it is in the path of righteousness that we find peace. Isaiah 48:18 says, “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
It is in repenting that our conscience is cleared and we are restored to joy and peace. David cried out in Psalm 51:7-8, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.”
Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
In a believer, when we continually sin and fail to repent, our conscience can become seared and no longer sensitive to the will of the Lord in that area. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says, "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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
As one commentary notes, when you are burned with a hot iron, your skin becomes numb in that area and no longer sensitive to touch. This is what happens to your conscience. [8] If you refuse to eat, your hunger signal eventually stops. It is not that you no longer are hungry, but your signal gives up telling you about it. In the same way, if we refuse to listen to our conscience and continue to sin, ignoring it, it will eventually stop sending a signal to us about that sin.
Another commentary notes, “Perhaps early in their lives their conscience had been tender, but they suppressed it so often and sinned against the light so much that now their conscience has become insensitive and hardened. They no longer have any scruples about contradicting the word of God and teaching things they know are untrue.” [9]
This was the case with the Israelites that Jeremiah prophesied to return to the Lord. Their conscience was seared from their continual sin so they no longer felt any remorse or conviction.
Jeremiah 6:15 says, “'Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,' says the Lord.”
Because their conscience was seared, the only way that God could get their attention back was to speak through the prophets and warn them of impending judgment. Eventually, when they did not listen, He followed through and changed their circumstances for the worse. By bringing them difficulty, he was purging the land of sin and saving those who would humble themselves and obey by being carrying them off to Babylon.
In Jeremiah 24:3 says, “Then the Lord said to me, 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' And I said, 'Figs, the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad.'”
The Lord said about the good figs who were being carried off to Babylon, “For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:6-7)
And the Lord said about the bad figs who went to Egypt or refused to go to Babylon, “I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.” (Jeremiah 24:9-10)
However, just because one experiences difficult circumstances as a result of their actions, they cannot assume that they are going against their conscious. 1 Peter 2:19 says, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
And 1 Peter 3:15-17 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Thomas a Kempis writes, “It is a characteristic of a humble soul always to do good and to think little of itself. It is a mark of great purity and deep faith to look for no consolation in created things. The man who desires no justification from without has clearly entrusted himself to God: 'For not he who commendeth himself is approved,' says St. Paul, 'But he whom God commendeth.” [10]
Jeremiah had tremendous suffering and difficulty in his life because of his righteousness. He was commended by the Lord for speaking forth the truth while others commended themselves and condemned him. Jeremiah spoke in Jer. 15:15-17, “Know that for your sake I have suffered rebuke. Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, for You have filled me with indignation.”
One cannot determine right or wrong from external pressure. Following a set of religious guidelines or cultural religious norms and values for ones behavior is moralism and is not the same as following one's conscious. One commentary mentions, any act that goes against the will of God also goes against the conscience. And if it goes against the conscious, it cannot arise from a place of faith. [11]
Paul tells Titus in Tit 1:13-16, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 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. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobatee.”
Acts confirmed and commended by the conscience will arise from a place of faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Jeremiah pleads with the people to turn from their wickedness in following external religious practices and turn back to faith in God. He says in Jer. 6:16, “Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
The word 'ancient' (old or eternal used in some translations) here is the word `olam which means eternal or perpetual. [12] One source notes that the biblical context would mean the “perpetual way of faith.” This source notes that God's ancient path is His way of faith leading to His kingdom. [13] David cries out in Psalm 24:7, "Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient [everlasting in some translations] doors, that the King of glory may come in."
And we must not only be concerned for our own faith, but we are to be concerned for the faith of our weaker brother. Each one of us are called to be our brother's keeper in caring for their conscience. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor."
In 1 Corinthians 8:9 Paul tells the church to beware if somehow their liberty in eating food offered to idols in faith, knowing idols are nothing and there is only one God, results in a stumbling block to their weaker brother.
In 1 Corinthians 8:10-12 Paul says, “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.”
Commentary notes, “We must be careful not to act contrary to someone else's conscience. And we must be careful not to encourage others to act against their own conscience – “behaving contrary from the urging of the Spirit to do good” [14].
Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 10:28-31, “But if anyone says to you, 'This was offered to idols,' do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for 'the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.' 'Conscience,' I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Lord, when I read Jeremiah, I am most convicted of my lack of love and dedication to you. Jeremiah walked before you with a clear conscience, following Your will in faith, even when it cost him everything. Too often I worry about being accepted and approved of rather than being faithful to You. I am concerned about what others think or if I am accepted. I bow to external pressures and go along with the crowd. Forgive me and strengthen me to truly follow You.
Lord, that we would be those with a good conscience. Teach us how to walk with you. Make us sensitive and tender towards Your will. Break us free from any moralism or religious activity that may hinder us from truly following You. And show us how to be our brother's keeper in helping other's keep their conscience pure.
1. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (2:122). Nashville: T. Nelson.
2. A Glossary of Christian Terms. Located at: http://www.mmiweb.org.uk/publications/glossary/glossaries/xtianglos.html. Last Accessed: 2/22/11.
3, 4, 6, 11, 14. Thomas Nelson Publishers. (2001). What does the Bible say about-- : The ultimate A to Z resource fully illustrated. Nelson's A to Z series (85). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.
5. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 10:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7, 10. Kempis, Thomas a. The Imitation of Christ. Dover Publications, Inc. Mineola, New York. 2003.
8. Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Ti 4:2). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
9. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (1 Ti 4:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
12. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H5769). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
13. White Stone Communications – HomeWorship101.com. Located at: http://www.homeworship101.com/Hebrew101/01%20Hebrew%20101%20intro.htm. Last modified: December 14, 2010. Last accessed: 2/21/11.
These people were following religious practices to accomplish their own purposes resulting in the oppression of those who really needed God. Jeremiah tells them in Jer. 7:21-24, “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.' Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”
They knew all the rules and were experts at saying the right things and performing for others to see. However, there was no real love, mercy or compassion in their hearts. Jeremiah 9:8 says, Their tongue is an arrow shot out; it speaks deceit; One speaks peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in his heart he lies in wait.”
They thought that they were doing great because they looked good on the outside. They believed their own lies and were filled with their own deceit. They were following their religion and looking good but their hearts were not in tune with God. They patted each other on the back and told leaders how great they were. Everyone loves to be part of a successful team and by every external measure, they were. Things looked fine and they were prospering.
Jeremiah told them in Jer. 9:23-24, “Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the Lord.”
What the people failed to do was stop and check their conscience. Even after receiving many, many warnings by Jeremiah, they continued to follow their wicked ways and their works of religion. Jeremiah 11:8 says, “yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but everyone followed the dictates of his evil heart.”
Conscious is the Greek word suneidesis, Strongs #4893. It is the witness by which we know if our conduct is in line with the will of God and designed to govern our lives. It either condemns or commends us for our behavior. When we violate it, it gives a sense of guiltiness before God [and nudging to repent]. [1] Another source notes that it is our 'internal voice' that tells us right from wrong [2].
Our conscience is shaped by the will of God. And since the law is inscribed on the hearts of believers (Heb. 8:10; 10:16), this sensitized conscience is able able to discern God’s judgment against sin (Rom. 2:14–15). [3]
Romans 2:14-15 says, “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thought accusing or else excusing them.”
The conscience needs to be redeemed when we come to know Christ. Ephesians 4:17-18 says about unbelievers, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”
Commentary notes, that the conscience of the believer is cleansed by Christ and no longer accuses and condemns (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22). [4] There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).
Hebrews 9:14 says, “ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Having a conscience that is cleansed from evil can only be brought about only by the new birth according to one commentary. It goes on to state, “When we trust Christ, we appropriate the value of His blood. Figuratively speaking, we sprinkle our hearts with it, just as the Israelites sprinkled their doors with the blood of the Passover lamb. This delivers us from an evil conscience. Our testimony is:
Conscience now no more condemns us,As commentary notes, it is up to believers to maintain a pure conscience. [6] Thomas a Kempis writes about a good conscience, "The glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience. Therefore, keep your conscience good and you will always enjoy happiness, for a good conscience can bear a great deal and can bring joy even in the midst of adversity. But an evil conscience is ever restive and fearful. Sweet shall be your rest if your heart does not reproach you." [7]
For His own most precious blood
Once for all has washed and cleansed us,
Cleansed us in the eyes of God.
—Frances Bevan” [5]
We do this by our choices. We work to maintain pure consciences by our obedience to the will of God. Spiritual disciplines and reading and meditating on the Word of God also help us to maintain a pure conscience.
Hebrews 4:13 says, "For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires."
It is our conscience that leads us to repentance for our sins against God. When we lack a sense of peace and joy in our lives, it is an indication that we need to repent. David says in Psalm 38:6 about his sin, “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.”
As I mentioned last week, it is in the path of righteousness that we find peace. Isaiah 48:18 says, “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
It is in repenting that our conscience is cleared and we are restored to joy and peace. David cried out in Psalm 51:7-8, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.”
Hebrews 10:22 says, “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
In a believer, when we continually sin and fail to repent, our conscience can become seared and no longer sensitive to the will of the Lord in that area. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says, "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; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
As one commentary notes, when you are burned with a hot iron, your skin becomes numb in that area and no longer sensitive to touch. This is what happens to your conscience. [8] If you refuse to eat, your hunger signal eventually stops. It is not that you no longer are hungry, but your signal gives up telling you about it. In the same way, if we refuse to listen to our conscience and continue to sin, ignoring it, it will eventually stop sending a signal to us about that sin.
Another commentary notes, “Perhaps early in their lives their conscience had been tender, but they suppressed it so often and sinned against the light so much that now their conscience has become insensitive and hardened. They no longer have any scruples about contradicting the word of God and teaching things they know are untrue.” [9]
This was the case with the Israelites that Jeremiah prophesied to return to the Lord. Their conscience was seared from their continual sin so they no longer felt any remorse or conviction.
Jeremiah 6:15 says, “'Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not ashamed; Nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; At the time I punish them, They shall be cast down,' says the Lord.”
Because their conscience was seared, the only way that God could get their attention back was to speak through the prophets and warn them of impending judgment. Eventually, when they did not listen, He followed through and changed their circumstances for the worse. By bringing them difficulty, he was purging the land of sin and saving those who would humble themselves and obey by being carrying them off to Babylon.
In Jeremiah 24:3 says, “Then the Lord said to me, 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' And I said, 'Figs, the good figs, very good; and the bad, very bad, which cannot be eaten, they are so bad.'”
The Lord said about the good figs who were being carried off to Babylon, “For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them back to this land; I will build them and not pull them down, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.” (Jeremiah 24:6-7)
And the Lord said about the bad figs who went to Egypt or refused to go to Babylon, “I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all places where I shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.” (Jeremiah 24:9-10)
However, just because one experiences difficult circumstances as a result of their actions, they cannot assume that they are going against their conscious. 1 Peter 2:19 says, “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.”
And 1 Peter 3:15-17 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
Thomas a Kempis writes, “It is a characteristic of a humble soul always to do good and to think little of itself. It is a mark of great purity and deep faith to look for no consolation in created things. The man who desires no justification from without has clearly entrusted himself to God: 'For not he who commendeth himself is approved,' says St. Paul, 'But he whom God commendeth.” [10]
Jeremiah had tremendous suffering and difficulty in his life because of his righteousness. He was commended by the Lord for speaking forth the truth while others commended themselves and condemned him. Jeremiah spoke in Jer. 15:15-17, “Know that for your sake I have suffered rebuke. Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. I did not sit in the assembly of the mockers, nor did I rejoice; I sat alone because of Your hand, for You have filled me with indignation.”
One cannot determine right or wrong from external pressure. Following a set of religious guidelines or cultural religious norms and values for ones behavior is moralism and is not the same as following one's conscious. One commentary mentions, any act that goes against the will of God also goes against the conscience. And if it goes against the conscious, it cannot arise from a place of faith. [11]
Paul tells Titus in Tit 1:13-16, “This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 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. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobatee.”
Acts confirmed and commended by the conscience will arise from a place of faith. Hebrews 10:38 says, “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”
Jeremiah pleads with the people to turn from their wickedness in following external religious practices and turn back to faith in God. He says in Jer. 6:16, “Thus says the Lord, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'"
The word 'ancient' (old or eternal used in some translations) here is the word `olam which means eternal or perpetual. [12] One source notes that the biblical context would mean the “perpetual way of faith.” This source notes that God's ancient path is His way of faith leading to His kingdom. [13] David cries out in Psalm 24:7, "Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient [everlasting in some translations] doors, that the King of glory may come in."
And we must not only be concerned for our own faith, but we are to be concerned for the faith of our weaker brother. Each one of us are called to be our brother's keeper in caring for their conscience. 1 Corinthians 10:24 says, “Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor."
In 1 Corinthians 8:9 Paul tells the church to beware if somehow their liberty in eating food offered to idols in faith, knowing idols are nothing and there is only one God, results in a stumbling block to their weaker brother.
In 1 Corinthians 8:10-12 Paul says, “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.”
Commentary notes, “We must be careful not to act contrary to someone else's conscience. And we must be careful not to encourage others to act against their own conscience – “behaving contrary from the urging of the Spirit to do good” [14].
Paul goes on to say in 1 Corinthians 10:28-31, “But if anyone says to you, 'This was offered to idols,' do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for 'the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness.' 'Conscience,' I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Lord, when I read Jeremiah, I am most convicted of my lack of love and dedication to you. Jeremiah walked before you with a clear conscience, following Your will in faith, even when it cost him everything. Too often I worry about being accepted and approved of rather than being faithful to You. I am concerned about what others think or if I am accepted. I bow to external pressures and go along with the crowd. Forgive me and strengthen me to truly follow You.
Lord, that we would be those with a good conscience. Teach us how to walk with you. Make us sensitive and tender towards Your will. Break us free from any moralism or religious activity that may hinder us from truly following You. And show us how to be our brother's keeper in helping other's keep their conscience pure.
1. Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W. (1996). Vine's complete expository dictionary of Old and New Testament words (2:122). Nashville: T. Nelson.
2. A Glossary of Christian Terms. Located at: http://www.mmiweb.org.uk/publications/glossary/glossaries/xtianglos.html. Last Accessed: 2/22/11.
3, 4, 6, 11, 14. Thomas Nelson Publishers. (2001). What does the Bible say about-- : The ultimate A to Z resource fully illustrated. Nelson's A to Z series (85). Nashville, Tenn.: Thomas Nelson.
5. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Heb 10:22). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
7, 10. Kempis, Thomas a. The Imitation of Christ. Dover Publications, Inc. Mineola, New York. 2003.
8. Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (1 Ti 4:2). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.
9. MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (1 Ti 4:2). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
12. Strong, J. (1996). The exhaustive concordance of the Bible : Showing every word of the text of the common English version of the canonical books, and every occurrence of each word in regular order. (electronic ed.) (H5769). Ontario: Woodside Bible Fellowship.
13. White Stone Communications – HomeWorship101.com. Located at: http://www.homeworship101.com/Hebrew101/01%20Hebrew%20101%20intro.htm. Last modified: December 14, 2010. Last accessed: 2/21/11.
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