Your Conscience: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

What kind of conscience do you have??

Everyone has a conscience. Since we have a conscience, we make moral decisions, unlike animals which operate on instinct. So, we are able to choose to follow our instinctive animal nature, or pursue the nature of God.

The conscience has two primary functions:

• Provide moral guidance; and
• Evaluate moral behavior.

The trouble with the conscience is that it may not function properly!

A good conscience is able to identify things that are morally good as morally good, and likewise, morally bad things as bad. For example, when Joseph was seduced by his boss’s wife, he refused her, remarking that such a thing would be a sin against God (Genesis 39:7-9). His good conscience identified sin as sin, and that was good.

Years later, after King David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, he was confronted by Nathan, a prophet of God. In his guilt, David confessed his sin against God (2 Samuel 12:1-15). David expressed the effect of his guilty conscience in the 32nd Psalm:

When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groanings all day long.

—Psalm 32:3

This was an example of a good conscience that had been violated. Yet, his good conscience did its job by making David feel guilt for his sin until he had properly addressed his sin.

Solomon described the hearts of sinners. They devise evil plans, yet speak about their evil as if it is a normal or good thing. Their consciences interchange good and evil, so, an example of a bad conscience. (Proverbs 1) As a result, their consciences do not alert them to sin and stop them from sinning. Also, after committing sin, their consciences do not cause guilt feelings.

In Scripture a good conscience may be described with the words pure, clean, blameless, or perfect (i.e. mature, complete), but never clear, at least, not in the Greek text of the New Testament.

However, some translators interpret the text and use clear conscience in passages such as 1 Timothy 3:9 and 2 Timothy 1:3 where the Greek adjective is pure; or Acts 23:1, Hebrews 13:18, 1 Peter 3:16 & 21 where the Greek adjective is good; or Acts 24:16 where the Greek adjective is blameless.

Why all the fuss? Why suggest in the title that a clear conscience is ugly?

[Pardon the connection to the old spaghetti western.]

A clear conscience is unpredictable, and therefore, unreliable. When a person has done what is morally right and the conscience is clear, everything is fine. There are no guilt feelings, nor should there be.

However, moral decisions and moral behavior are good or bad. There are no such things as clear moral decisions or clear moral behavior. In reality, a clear conscience does not provide moral guidance before deciding or acting. It only renders a “Not Guilty” verdict after acting. For that reason, a person could commit a sin, yet feel no guilt because of a clear conscience. Sin without guilt feelings from a clear conscience is indeed ugly, and actually a bad conscience in disguise.

A clear conscience promises guilt-free living, but not godly living. If we sin, we need a good conscience to pierce our hearts with guilt so that we are driven to God confessing our sin.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

—1 John 1:9

Yet, a clear conscience will confess no sin!

What kind of conscience do you have?

Mark Stinnett

October 30, 2022

Correct Me, If I’m Wrong

"Correct me, if I'm wrong," he said.

I'm not always sure if a person is sincere when I hear such a comment. After all, I have attempted to correct someone after hearing such a statement, but it did not turn out as I expected.

Here’s wisdom that applies:

Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you,

Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.

--Proverbs 9:8

Have you ever felt that you needed to correct someone, but you were afraid of how they might react? That’s not uncommon. Many folks are non-confrontational, and with good reason. Relationships have become strained or broken when trying to correct another.

No one wants to face the scoffer when he is corrected. It might result in…

• Anger over being corrected.
• Denial of a problem and complete refusal of correction;
• Accusations cast toward the one correcting;
• Colorful speech in response;
• A dismissive attitude toward the one offering correction;
• Excuses to explain (i.e. justify) the behavior.

Because of the potential reaction of the scoffer, many folks prefer not to engage in the correction of anyone, even a wise man.

Yet, what is the outcome when there is no correction? If a person has done wrong but is not corrected, then there are two lies being told:

• The one who is in the wrong, but refuses correction, behaves as if everything is fine when it is not.
• The one who refrains from correcting another has hidden the truth out of fear.

Both lies avoid reality.

Solomon gives us insight into the possible outcome of correcting another person. However, we should not assume one thing or another. A gentle revelation of the truth with wise words may reveal a scoffer or a wise man. Either way, you have done right by not hiding the truth.

If you have revealed a scoffer, follow Solomon's advice and avoid correcting him/her in the future. Also remember, even wise men may not enjoy being corrected at first. It might take some time for the wise man to come around. So, don’t be too quick to judge.

Here are a couple of verses of Scripture that may help to encourage correction:

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

—2 Timothy 3:16-17

My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

—James 5:19-20

Always approach correction with the right attitude. Correction is not for gloating, setting the record straight or standing in judgment. Correction is for the benefit of another’s soul.

Also, when you are on the receiving end, i.e. the one being corrected, stop talking and listen. It might be that you ARE wrong. It might be that you NEED correction...for the good of your soul.

Be humble.

Be courageous.

Be wise.

Mark Stinnett

October 23, 2022

Why Was the King Angry?

Nebuchadnezzar
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had built an impressive gold statue that stood 90 feet high. He had invited all the rulers of his empire to a dedication of the statue. At a certain moment, all kinds of musical instruments were to be played and everyone was to bow to the statue. Three young Jewish men who were in attendance did not bow and the king was angry!

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were brought before the king and given a second chance. In so many words they respectfully declined the formality of a second chance, indicating that they would not bow.

“Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was altered….” We might say that the king was livid! (Daniel 3.)

David
King David had sinned. He had committed adultery with Bathsheba and the two had just gone on living their lives. Later, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David.

Nathan told about a rich man that stole a lamb from a poor man in order to entertain a traveling guest. David reacted in great anger saying:

He must make restitution for the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing and had no compassion. 

—2 Samuel 12:6

Nathan’s story was only an illustration of what David had done by taking Bathsheba. But note David’s response. There is no question but that David would have had the sentence carried out. After all, kings were like a one-man supreme court at that time, the ultimate judge.

Do you see a difference in the two kings’ anger?

Nebuchadnezzar was angry when the three Jewish men disobeyed. But there was more to it. The king had not receive the honor that he had expected. The statue was erected by him and the occasion was set up to honor him. The king’s anger was actually self-centered.

In contrast, David’s anger stemmed from the injustice against the poor man. His anger was not about himself, but about a wrong that, as king, he could set right.

Three Lessons Drawn from the Kings’ Anger:
First, when your anger is focused on a perceived injustice toward yourself (selfish anger), good will never come of it. Oh, sure, you might get your way, but there is nothing noble or godly about that. Parents, DO NOT reward your children for selfish anger. You will reinforce that attitude, but it is an attitude that God rejects!

Second, there are injustices for which anger is justified. Parents, wake up! Your anger for your child’s disobedience or dishonor IS justified; disobedience or dishonor toward parents is sin. The same could be said about other sins. Parents, until your children are old enough to learn God’s instruction, you are their law. Your anger for their sin is just, but, you must not be controlled by anger. If you discipline in anger you child will associate your anger with discipline, and that is not what you want to teach.

Third, anger seems justified when it is about an injustice in life. However, if that injustice does not directly affect you or you can do nothing about it, your anger is meaningless. You might even be surprised to find that many of your friends and family either laugh at you or prefer to avoid you when you are constantly angry about all the many injustices in life. Fruitless anger makes you look foolish...because you are!

More often than not, anger is sin. 

Stop trying to defend it; 

   rather, control it,  

      or better, avoid it.


Mark Stinnett

October 16, 2022

Can You Trust Anger?

People often intentionally adopt specific behaviors or attitudes because they are confident they will bring about a favorable result. For example, a person adopts a strong work ethic because he believes that over time consistent, high quality, hard work will pay off. The pay-off might be financial security or a good reputation or something else of benefit.

Some people value the ability to find a good deal when buying and selling in order to make or save money. Some people value ongoing education whether it involves further coursework, hands-on training or personal study/reading in order to maintain a top professional standing. Some value a quick wit, perhaps for the laughter it gives others or for the attention they receive for themselves.

There are many things in life that have some measure of value, but I have never heard anyone explain the value of anger. You see, the examples presented above have value because of the benefits received. One might say that people place their trust in things of value which they perceive will provide an expected benefit or result. But what about anger?

I’ve heard many people attempt justify anger or defend anger. I suppose there are times when anger is justified. Yet, again, what is its benefit? What is the purpose of anger? What do you expect to gain by being angry?

Let me continue by ruling one thing out…

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

— James 1:19-20

A person can make a case for anger in order to justify anger from the past, present or future. However, anger will never achieve righteousness. In the Bible, righteousness is one of those things that you really want. In fact, Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20) He also said that the righteous will inherit eternal life! (Matthew 25:46) So, anger doesn’t really promise any kind of benefit with regard to God.

If you think about the last time you became angry, or think about things that make you angry, what would you say? Are there things that you think you should be angry about?

Most people are bothered by injustice. One might describe an injustice as being unfair or not right. That is actually how God created us; to be bothered by the injustices of life. And yet, giving oneself over to anger because of injustice accomplishes nothing good, not righteousness.

God’s wrath was brought against injustices toward the poor, the needy and widows (Isaiah 10:2; Ezekiel 16:49). Yet, it should be observed, that God took action. He did not just gripe about it. Other injustices might be put in the same category. However, anger gives no benefit.

This point is magnified when one’s anger is not so noble, that is, not motivated by injustices against others. It is my observation that anger is more often motivated by injustices that people perceive to be against themselves. They feel that they have been treated unfairly. It is seen in an angry scowl of disapproval, a child’s disobedient temper tantrum, or, far worse, the murder of another human being.

In most cases anger is a knee-jerk reaction. So, before getting angry again, stop and think about all the benefits of anger. Then, ask yourself, “Can I trust anger to give me anything good?”

Mark Stinnett

October 9, 2022

The Last Homecoming

Do you look at the Second Coming as a moment to be dreaded or a more like a homecoming?

God doesn’t tell us everything there is to tell about the Second Coming of Jesus and the final judgment of mankind. So, it is not surprising (and not helpful) that some people use their imagination to answer questions of curiosity.

So, what are some things the Bible tells us about that great day?

One verse tells us that everything which is hidden will be judged, whether good or bad (Ecclesiastes 12:14). Another says that we will give an account for every careless word (Matthew 12:36). Yet another tells us that our deeds are recorded in books and we will be judged by the things written in those books (Revelation 20:12). These and similar passages can give us a sense of dread thinking that God will dredge up all of our past sins.

In contrast, we read other passages that tell us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). Quoting the psalmist, Paul reminded us, “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account” (Romans 4:8). Looking forward to the new covenant, a reference to Christianity, God has said, “I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:34). Then, the Apostle John recorded the words of Jesus: “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24) These and similar passages give Christians hope and assurance.

The bulk of passages about divine judgment are negative because they are directed to individuals, cities and nations that had left the path of righteousness. These were God’s warnings of harsh discipline, punishment or destruction if people did not turn from their wickedness. Many of the things written about the final judgment of mankind are similar.

Isn’t it wonderful that God gives warnings?!

Now, what are we to do with all the negative and positive passages? Is there harmony?

It is instructional to understand what it means to give an account. In a parable in Matthew 18, Jesus told of a king who called in his slaves to give an account. The picture was that of the slaves presenting to the king the result of their work. Later, in the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25) we see something similar. Three slaves had been entrusted with sums of money by their master. Upon his return from a trip, he called the slaves forward to settle accounts. They did not enumerate every transaction but simply presented to their master the results of their business dealings. The master had entrusted each slave with his money. Each one was expected to use the master’s money to carry out his will.

Judgment Day is the day that God will settle accounts with us. He has given us life and various abilities. His expectation is that we let our light shine in such a way that those around us may see our good works and glorify God.

We are now alive in Christ and purified from sin. Remember that confessed sins are not hidden sin, but forgiven sins (1 John 1:9). And forgiven sins will not be remembered (Jeremiah 31:34).

Homecomings are events that we enjoy and anticipate with gladness, whether it is a family event for the holidays or a community or church celebrating an anniversary. Our spiritual homecoming will begin when Jesus returns. It will be the greatest homecoming of all; it will be the last homecoming because we will be home...forever.


Mark Stinnett

October 2, 2022