Introduction
A wise man once said that morality cannot be legalized. Morality is not a legal issue; it is a conscience problem. We live in a world that is plagued by a social contagion, especially among the younger generation. There is an epidemic of sexual craze as more and more young people lose their sense of what is morally acceptable as defined by the word of God. Blame cannot be solely placed on these individuals, given that our legal and moral systems have despairingly failed them.
This generation is a clear example of sheep lacking a shepherd; hence, all the more reason for teachers of righteousness to arise in this dispensation. Social media has played an instrumental role in shaping an evil conscience within society today, as it models a lifestyle that is void of godly principles and values. Even worse, the enemy has used media platforms to propel an agenda that mocks God and plunges an entire generation into eternal damnation.
The evil conscience and defiled conscience are different in the sense that, while one group remains ignorant of God’s law as it pertains to guiding our daily life, the other group willfully chooses to disobey and ignore godly principles that teach righteousness.
This article explores the importance of compassion and truth in ministry, emphasizing the need for believers to teach and guide those with seared consciences. It highlights the role of intercession, education, and the gospel in awakening lost souls, with insights from scriptures such as 2 Corinthians 4:2, Romans 12:17, and Luke 19:10. It encourages ministers to avoid deceit and present the truth to lead others to repentance and reconciliation with God.
Defining the Conscience
In simple terms, conscience refers to a person’s moral standing regarding what is right and what is wrong. Different disciplines, such as the humanities and sciences, rely on ethical principles or philosophies to explain conscience.
For instance, utilitarianism, Kantianism, and Marxism offer different perspectives on what is morally acceptable. Depending on a person’s cultural background, their worldviews and ethical principles are greatly influenced by their respective cultural norms. From a human rights perspective, there are even further divisions in defining what is ethically or humanly right.
Morality is, therefore, a highly divisive topic. Consequently, humanity can never come to a consensus on choosing what is right or wrong. We genuinely and desperately need a higher set of laws and guidance that will lead us to choose right in any area of life. Setting moral precedence requires divine law from God to instruct as well as guide humanity on a moral path.
To this end, the word of God is what shapes our conscience, clearly delineating an evil conscience from a defiled conscience. The word of God is the guiding light that shapes the purity of our conscience.
1. The Evil Conscience
The word of God warns that we should not be conformed to the ways of the world, including its standards, thought patterns, worldviews, and perceptions about living.
This world is full of superficial values and customs that tend to sway believers and unbelievers alike into the path of damnation. Different human traditions and elementary principles or philosophies of this world have shaped people’s way of thinking. Instead of following the doctrine of Christ, they imitate the ideals and opinions of other men.
Such people rely on human logic to guide their conscience and, as such, their moral decision-making. Yet they do not realize that the doctrines of men are influenced by the prince of the air—the spirit that is at work in the children of disobedience.
- “In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2, ESV)
You need to know that there are only two kinds of spirits that rule and govern this world: the Spirit of God and the spirit of this world (the devil). We cannot compromise or define it any other way. The truth is that if your conscience is not led or transformed by the person of the Holy Spirit, then all the other principles that dictate your moral actions are either directly or indirectly orchestrated by the prince of the air. Hence, the TPT version of Romans 12:2 emphasizes:
- “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think.”
You cannot truly discern what is good and acceptable before God and before other men without the word of God and the person of the Holy Spirit. Your conscience, therefore, can be defined as ‘that which is good and acceptable as stipulated by the word of God and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit’.
If you are a believer, a new creation, you need to understand that you are reconciled to God. You are a new man. And the new man is renewed in “knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colossians 3:10). Therefore, you need the word of God (knowledge of God) to renew your way of thinking and sever the old evil patterns of thinking that conform to the world. As 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.”
2. The Defiled Conscience
Then there is a defiled conscience – one which knows the truth that is in the word of God but chooses not to believe it. Some believers have been defiled in their conscience by wrong doctrine and have had their conscience seared. As scripture 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” (1 Timothy 4:1-2, KJV).
A seared conscience is one that holds the knowledge of the truth but over time, by denying it, cannot discern what is morally acceptable as defined by the word of God. Individuals with a seared conscience attempt to replace evil with good and light with darkness. Such a person ignores the counsel of the Holy Spirit in doing what is right.
You need to remember that the Holy Spirit is our counsellor. He guides us into all truth and brings to our remembrance the true doctrine of Christ (John 14:26). He is the unction or the anointing that teaches us all things, and He continuously teaches us to abide in Christ (1 John 2:20, 27). Although knowing this, some choose to ignore and disobey the guiding lights of the Spirit, thus defiling their conscience. Their conscience can no longer bear witness with the person of the Holy Spirit.
- “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 9:1, KJV)
Evidently, to know a person whose conscience is defiled, you will realize that they are hypocritical liars. They bend the gospel of Christ to fit their selfish desires and greed. Their revelations of Jesus Christ are primarily dominated by demonic activity. These are not just ministers of the gospel, but other members who hide within the body of Christ.
For example, take a look at the current sect of politicians who gladly acknowledge that “politics is a dirty game.” In every word that they speak, one must read between the lines to understand their hidden agendas. Likewise, there are those who operate in the ‘grey areas’—where they cannot clearly express their true or pure intentions. In other words, they cannot exercise true judgment as designed by the word of God in everything that they do. As scripture says, nothing is pure to them;
- “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled.” (Titus 1:15, ESV)
A Reprobate Mind
The defiled conscience also concerns the corrupt minds of the reprobates. Such individuals are those who carry the knowledge of God, but they choose to be blinded by the futility of their minds. They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, malice, strife, and all manner of unrighteousness. For instance:
- “Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie, God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature. And the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another.” (Romans 1:25-27, ESV)
Moral Depravity and Decadence
In reality, some of the lesbians, homosexuals, minor-attracted persons, and transgender individuals instinctively know the truth about God. Yet, they have refused to honor God by corrupting their thoughts and giving in to the darkness that is in their hearts. In turn, God has not restrained them and has given them over to their sinful and shameful desires. The dishonor of their bodies through these sexual perversions causes them to stoop so low toward moral decadence. Their inflated egos are not only characterized by strife, malice, slander, and murder, but also by hateful insults toward God.
These are the very people who use the F word in the middle of “Jesus” and “Christ.” These are the very people who would just about sleep with anyone and take any kind of drug just to feel high. These are the very people who would dress skimpily and claim bodily autonomy (‘my body, my dress, my choice’).
Nevertheless, there is still hope that they can be saved. Such persons are only lost, and they need saving. The only thing that can awaken such a conscience is intercession and charity. As believers, we ought to pray for them. Exercising rebuke and not condemnation is critical because condemnation only serves to worsen their state and make them stumble even further.
Hope for Salvation
Scripture says;
- “Never repay anyone evil for evil.” (Romans 12:17, ESV)
- “And if your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him over with kindness. For your surprising generosity will awaken his conscience, and God will reward you with favor.” (Romans 12:20, TPT)
Now, it is your acts of kindness that will move the heart of a man with a defiled conscience. On their own, they cannot see that whatever they are doing is offensive to both God and other people. But when you begin to show them love and educate them in the knowledge of truth, true deliverance can be achieved. The problem with most believers is that they engage in endless arguments in futile attempts to defend the scripture.
The word of God is a true revelation of the person of Jesus Christ, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Thus, you do not need to defend the word or the sovereignty of God. Believers must avoid condemning and debating with people who have a seared conscience. In that place, exercise charity with all sincerity of your heart to awaken the conscience of a reprobate mind.
The Importance of Charity from a Pure Heart
Contrary to condemnation, charity is what awakens a seared conscience. Scripture reveals;
- “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2, KJV)
- “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Timothy 1:5, KJV)
Do not judge or condemn those who are blinded by the vanity of their minds. Teach and educate them, instead, about the righteousness of God that is by faith in Jesus Christ. We are not under the law, where we need to be condemned so that we try to reconcile with God by our own works.
The end goal of condemnation is to scare someone into submission; and that is just not the way of grace. Thus, Romans 12:17 awakens their conscience by good or charitable works. This kind of conscience can only be awakened by good works from pure hearts.
We are not supposed to pass judgment on people, especially since we are in the dispensation of grace. Grace means that we are living to benefit from God’s undeserved mercies and favor. It also means that there is still hope for the Gentiles who are blinded by the vanity of their minds. God is not slow to judge them, but He is patient with them because He wants all men to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Educating the Seared Conscience
Similarly, God wants us to make intercession and petition for all men, especially those in authority. It is in God’s heart that all mankind should embrace the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Accordingly, for the politicians and ministers who have their consciences seared, it is essential to pray for them.
Every door that is opened for us to preach the gospel must be used to make manifest the savor of the knowledge of God by us in every place (2 Corinthians 2:17). That is the way to awaken a seared conscience—by educating the conscience based on the guiding light of the word of God.
It is the role of a New Testament believer to witness and educate the masses about the righteousness of God and the resurrection power of Christ. Help the reprobate mind to understand that we are reconciled with God through Christ. By the grace of God, help them to understand the mystery of the new birth and the sovereignty of God.
It is a hard thing to ask, especially when such an approach contradicts a person’s morals and religious beliefs. However, this is one of the ultimate tests that test the purity of our hearts and our consciences. Even among the weak or blind, we have to become somewhat weak and blind so that we may save them.
Salvation for the Lost
You also need to understand that the majority of people lacking a moral compass and rejecting the gospel of Jesus Christ are basically lost.
Paul says:
- “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” (2 Corinthians 4:3, KJV)
And Jesus said:
- “For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10, KJV)
Most of the people perishing in their own blindness to the gospel are actually just lost. They need to be instructed and guided by those who are spiritually mature and who have seen the glorious light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Learning from Christ, the Bible further reveals:
- “And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34, KJV)
If Jesus walked in our modern world today as He did on the shores of Galilee, would He have ruled out the immoral, corrupt, unscrupulous, and unconscionable people from His ministry? If He would, then there would be no need for a Messiah.
Jesus was moved by compassion, having seen the masses as sheep without a shepherd. Most importantly, the Messiah began to teach them many things. People who are lost only need the right teachings to awaken their conscience. Their conscience can only be purified by the present truth, which is in the gospel and the word of God.
Hence, Paul emphasized that:
- “But we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:2, KJV)
As ministers of the gospel, we should avoid every kind of trickery and distorting the word of God to fit hidden agendas or motives. In all honesty, we should present the truth to the consciences of those who are lost. Believers should not misinterpret and misapply the scriptures to suit their bidding. Arguments that result in the condemnation of those who are perishing are unprofitable. Rather, share the truth in the word of God—this truth awakens the consciences that are dead before the sight of God.
