Obeying the Conscience

The role of conscience in the Christian life is a subject of profound theological significance. Within evangelical theology, the conscience is not merely an inner voice but a God-given capacity that guides believers in discerning right from wrong. The Apostle Paul's epistles, particularly Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, offer rich insights into how the conscience functions and its implications for Christian conduct. This blog post aims to explore the assertion that going against one's conscience when it warns correctly is always a sin in God's eyes. By delving into the scriptural foundations and theological interpretations, we will understand why obedience to the conscience is imperative for believers and how it aligns with God's will as revealed in the Bible.

The Significance of Conscience in Theology

In evangelical thought, the conscience is regarded as an intrinsic aspect of human nature, reflecting the moral image of God. It acts as an internal witness, affirming or condemning our actions based on moral judgments. The conscience is not infallible but must be informed and calibrated by the Word of God. The evangelical perspective emphasizes that while the conscience can be influenced by culture, upbringing, and personal experiences, it ultimately functions under the lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.

Contextual Framework: Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8

Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 address issues related to Christian liberty, the weaker and stronger brother, and the role of conscience in ethical decisions. These passages provide practical guidance on how believers should navigate disputable matters—those not explicitly defined as sin in the Bible—while maintaining unity within the Church. The Apostle Paul's instructions underscore the importance of acting in love and not causing another believer to stumble by violating their conscience.

Exegetical Analysis

Romans 14: The Principle of Liberty and Responsibility

In Romans 14, Paul addresses the disputes among believers regarding dietary laws and the observance of special days. He writes:

"One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables" (Romans 14:2, ESV).

The term "weak" here refers to those whose conscience does not permit them to exercise certain freedoms. The Greek word for "weak" is ἀσθενής (asthenēs), meaning "without strength" or "impotent" (Thayer, 1889). This weakness is not a moral failing but a sensitivity in conscience.

Paul further admonishes:

"But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23, ESV).

The key Greek term here is διακρίνω (diakrinō), translated as "doubts," which implies a differentiation or internal conflict. When a believer acts against their conscience, even in not inherently sinful matters, they commit sin because they do not act in faith.

1 Corinthians 8: Knowledge, Love, and Conscience

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul discusses the issue of eating food offered to idols. He acknowledges that idols have no real existence, and therefore, food offered to them is not spiritually contaminated:

"We know that 'an idol has no real existence,' and that 'there is no God but one'" (1 Corinthians 8:4, ESV).

However, he cautions:

"But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak" (1 Corinthians 8:9, ESV).

The Greek word for "stumbling block" is πρόσκομμα (proskomma), meaning an obstacle or offense. Paul emphasizes that exercising liberty without regard for another's conscience can lead them into sin, violating their conscience.

Key Greek Terms and Etymology

Understanding the original language enhances our grasp of these passages:

Συνείδησις (syneidēsis) - Conscience: This term combines σύν (syn, "with") and εἴδησις (eidēsis, "knowledge"), indicating a co-knowledge with oneself, an internal awareness of moral standards (Vine, 1996).

Ἀσθενής (asthenēs) - Weak: As previously noted, it refers to those whose conscience is sensitive or less liberated.

Πίστις (pistis) - Faith: Denotes conviction and trust, implying that actions must align with one's convictions to be pleasing to God.

Theological Discussion

The Lordship of Conscience Under God

God is the only Lord of the conscience. This principle asserts that while the conscience is a personal faculty, it is ultimately subject to God's authority as revealed in Scripture. The Westminster Confession of Faith articulates this:

"God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men who are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it, in matters of faith or worship" (Westminster Confession of Faith, 1646, Chapter 20).

This means that believers must obey their conscience when it aligns with God's Word but also seek to inform and correct it according to Biblical truth.

The Sin of Violating the Conscience

When a believer acts against their conscience, believing an action to be wrong, they sin even if the action is not inherently sinful. This is because sin is about the external act and the internal disposition. As Paul states:

"For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Romans 14:23b, ESV).

Acting without faith or against one's convictions demonstrates a disregard for God's moral law as understood by the individual.

John Calvin's Perspective

John Calvin emphasizes the importance of the conscience in moral decisions:

"The surest source of destruction to men is to obey themselves; and the only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom, than to follow the Lord wherever he leads." (Calvin, 1536, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, Chapter 7).

Calvin highlights that obeying God involves aligning the conscience with His revealed will.

Conscience and Christian Liberty

The concept of Christian liberty allows believers freedom in matters not explicitly addressed in Scripture. However, this liberty is not absolute. Paul warns:

"Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13b, ESV).

Exercising liberty must be balanced with love and consideration for others whose consciences may differ.

The Role of Love in Exercising Conscience

Love is the governing principle in matters of conscience. In 1 Corinthians 8:1b, Paul writes:

"Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up."

Knowledge alone can lead to arrogance, but love seeks the edification of others. Therefore, believers must be willing to limit their freedoms to prevent causing another to stumble:

"Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble" (1 Corinthians 8:13, ESV).

Augustine's Insight

Saint Augustine underscores the supremacy of love in Christian ethics:

"Love, and do what you will. If you keep silent, keep silent by love; if you speak, speak by love; if you correct, correct by love; if you pardon, pardon by love." (Augustine, Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 7).

Love ensures that actions, even those permissible, are conducted in a manner that honors God and respects the conscience of others.

Calibrating the Conscience

While the conscience is a God-given faculty, it is not infallible. It must be educated and calibrated according to Scripture. Hebrews 5:14 states:

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil" (ESV).

The Greek term for "powers of discernment" is αἰσθητήρια (aisthētēria), referring to the faculties of perception. Believers are called to develop discernment through immersion in the Word of God.

Counterargument

Some might argue that an overemphasis on conscience leads to legalism or subjectivism. However, the evangelical perspective maintains that Scripture and the Holy Spirit must guide the conscience. Legalism arises when human traditions are imposed as divine mandates, whereas subjectivism disregards objective moral truths.

The Holy Spirit and the Conscience

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in informing and guiding the conscience. Jesus promised:

"When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16:13a, ESV).

The Spirit works in conjunction with the Word to illuminate understanding and convict of sin (John 16:8).

Distinguishing the Voice of Conscience and the Holy Spirit

While the conscience is an internal faculty, the Holy Spirit is the divine person who indwells believers. Discerning between the two involves examining whether the prompting aligns with Scripture. If a message contradicts Biblical teaching, it is not from the Holy Spirit but a misinformed conscience.

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers must:

Obey their conscience when it warns against actions they believe to be sinful.

Inform their conscience through diligent study of the Bible to align it with God's will.

Respect the consciences of others, avoiding actions that may cause them to stumble.

Exercise Christian liberty responsibly, motivated by love and edification.

Insights from Theologians

J.I. Packer emphasizes the importance of a Biblically informed conscience:

"The function of conscience in Christians is to alert them to the moral quality of what they do or plan to do in light of their knowledge of God's will." (Packer, 1993, Concise Theology).

D.A. Carson notes the communal aspect of conscience:

"Our decisions should be made not merely with regard to our own conscience but also with a view to the consciences of others in the community." (Carson, 2000, Love in Hard Places).

Conclusion

The conscience is a sacred gift from God, integral to believers' moral and spiritual life. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 elucidate the imperative of obeying the conscience when it warns correctly, underscoring that to act against it is a sin in God's eyes. The evangelical perspective emphasizes that while the conscience must be obeyed, it must also be continually reformed and aligned with the authoritative revelation of Scripture. Love is the guiding principle in exercising conscience and Christian liberty, ensuring that actions build up the Church and honor God.

In a world of moral complexities, the believer's conscientious obedience reflects a heart submitted to God. It testifies to the Gospel's transformative power and fosters unity within the Body of Christ. As the Church navigates contemporary ethical challenges, grounding our conscience in the unchanging truth of the Bible remains essential. Doing so fulfills our chief goal: glorifying God and enjoying Him forever.