What Is a Conscience?

1 Corinthians 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Breaking down a compound word into its parts is one of the easiest ways to understand what it means. The word conscience is a compound word made up of the root word science and the prefix con. The prefix con means with while the root word science means knowledge. As is often the case, the built-in dictionary of the Bible helps to solidify this connection, understanding, and definition. In 1 Corinthians 8:7 and 1 Corinthians 8:10, the word conscience is used in conjunction with the mention of knowledge possessed by men. Romans 2:15 makes a similar connection by joining the word conscience with the statement that something is written in the heart. As such, God designed a man’s conscience as an internal tool to place pure and righteous knowledge within an individual that he would otherwise lack.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

(For children):Read about the barbarous people who did not know God but did know that it was wrong to kill (Acts 28:1-4). How did the Romans know that it was wrong to put an innocent man to death (Luke 23:4, 14-16, 21-22)? God’s law was written in their hearts.

(For everyone):Read Romans 1:18-19. How does this help explain God’s use of man’s conscience? What are some facts that God has placed within man?

(For everyone):What has to happen to remove or weaken the knowledge in man that was placed there by God? Has the world, the flesh, and the Devil sought to weaken that knowledge in you?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

Thank God for writing His truths in you!

Ask the Lord to put a hedge of protection about your conscience.

SONG

I Want A Principle Within

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