Sermon Outline
November 11, 2007 AM
THE PROPER USE OF THE CONSCIENCE

TEXT: 1 John 3:19-21 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 
INTRODUCTION:
1. John refers to the heart of a man.
2. To some degree, John is telling us that our confidence and assurance is based upon whether or  
     not our conscience condemns us.
3. One means of assurance is established upon our heart or conscience. 

I. WE SHOULD NOT VIOLATE OUR CONSCIENCE:
  A. To violate our conscience means to go against that which we know in our hearts to be right. 
       1) There is an inborn law of the conscience no matter who we are. 
      2) This may be what Paul is saying in Romans 2:14-15 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 thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 
    3) The point is, that God created man with a conscience.
  B. However, this inborn law can be and must be trained. 
     1) Christians train our consciences by continually studying the word of God.
     2) By the proper application of  our study we stand approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
  C. The conscience can be misguided, or deadened and thereby lead us to false conclusions and  
       misconceptions.
    1 Timothy 4:1-2 1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. The metaphor is that of a criminal who in the first century was branded on the brow so everyone would know who or what he was. 3) In Pauls metaphor, the brand is on the conscience. 4) Those who depart from the faith hold to a form of godliness, but with a defiled conscience. 5) The conscience is a measure of our godliness, but some are "past feeling" their own conscience Ephesians 4:19 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. D. Some have an evil conscience. The conscience has been trained in such a way as to make it evil, corrupted and profane. Hebrews 10:22 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. This passage refers to the conversion process: a) Faith is followed by repentance and baptism. b) Baptism is often described as a washing (Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5). c) Repentance is "having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience." d) Whenever we determine not to sin and bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, we cleanse our hearts from an evil conscience. e) We cannot continue in sin and expect to have a clear conscience. E. Some have an evil or defiled conscience. 1) 1 Corinthians 8:7 2) Titus 1:15 3) He uses this same proverb in Romans 14:20; 1 Corinthians 6:12; and 10:23). 4) The principle taught, is that nothing pure can come from an impure heart or conscience. 5) It is the opposite of doing something by faith: a) Romans 14:23 "Whatever is not of faith is sin." F. We train our consciences with Gods word and never violate our consciences. II. GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR CONSCIENCE Lest we despair about our sins and weaknesses, remember that God is great than our consciences. B. Our conscience tells us that we are sinners and thus condemned (1 John 1:8,10). C. When we approach God we feel humbled by His presence. 1) Here is sinful man standing before the holy and just God. 2) Here is finite man standing before the infinite God. 3) Here is wicked man standing before the righteous God. God knows our sin and yet He loves us still! (Romans 5:8) 1 John 3:1 Because of His love for us, He promised that if we confess our sins "He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). This purification brings each of us confidence and assurance. God is Omniscient!! He knows us even better than we know ourselves. How many hairs on our head? The cause of the aches and pains. What about your heart? God knows the secrets of our hearts (44:21). He what is Good for us and He knows what is bad for us! When men follow men they are misled, But when men follow God, they are led down lifes pathway of goodness, righteousness and happiness. Because He knows all things God knows our Hearts: He knows whether we have the desire to live as He directs. He knows our faith and how much we try to be like Him. He knows our regrets, our sorrows and our penitence. He also knows whether or not we want to do better than we have. His love, our desire, our faith, our wanting to do better and our love for Him prompts us to follow His will and obey His truth. The result is that He showers us with grace and mercy. Our obedience and His grace and mercy should bring each of confidence and assurance. Sincerity Doesnt Cover All the Bases! Some think because they are sincere that no matter what they do they will receive grace and mercy. Romans 6:1-2 "How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Sincerity is not a license to do as we please. Acts 23:1 Paul was a sincere persecutor! 1 Timothy 1:13 "A blasphemer, a persecutor and injurious" before he obtained mercy. He was sincere but sincerely wrong! Sincerity is not the proper standard. God will deal with us, not only according to our hearts, but according to His eternal truths. John 12:48 Since God is Greater Than Our Consciences, There is No Fooling Him! We deceive and fool ourselves, but we cannot fool God. Sin and false teaching are such that they often fool and deceive those who are caught in their trap (1 John 1:8). 2 Timothy 3:13 Titus 3:3 Galatians 6:3 Galatians 6:7 WE MUST BRING OUR CONSCIENCES INTO AGREEMENT WITH GODS TRUTH! A CLEAR CONSCIENCE IS A MEANS OF ASSURANCE: Note the following passages: 1 Timothy 1:5 1 Timothy 1:19 1 Peter 3:16 1 Timothy 3:9 2 Timothy 1:3
 

CONCLUSION:

  1. A pure, clean conscience is a clear conscience (1 Peter 3:21)..
  2. A clear conscience is in tune with the gospel.
  3. A doer as well as a hearer (James 1:22-25).
  4. A student of the word (2 Timothy 2:15).
  5. Constantly receiving the approval of God.
  6. This approval does not come by a mysterious voice in the night.
  7. It comes by testing our lives with the true standard.
  8. When we fall short of the standard we confess our sins, repent of the wrong and discipline ourselves to do better.
  9. The conscience is a very valuable tool is it is trained to work in accordance with Gods will.
  10. If it is improperly trained the result can be disastrous.
  11. We must conscientiously reject evil and yield to the true standard of right.
  12. Doing this will bring peace of mind and assurance of heart.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Can we always rely upon our conscience?
  2. God has created man with a conscience but does that mean that God has built guidelines within man?
  3. How can we train our conscience?
  4. How is God greater than our conscience?
  5. What is a clear conscience?