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Send a textWhat is the "conscience"? And more importantly, what does the Bible have to say about our conscience? How do we have a clear conscience? How does a conscience get "seared"? Got Questions Website (referenced in the podcast)
From Romans 13, Pastor Jeff Schreve explains why God calls believers to rank under governing authorities, obey laws, and pay taxes—not out of fear alone but for conscience' sake. Learn how submission honors God, how to appeal respectfully when needed, and how participation in the process strengthens our freedom.
Genesis 43 James 1:21-27 Pastor Ron Stauffer
February 3, 2026
There are several costs you're forced to pay when you treat moral value as optional. First, it tricks you into commoditizing yourself. Relationships become shallow and transaction-based. Fulfillment disappears. Low-grade tension replaces it. Next, your mind tricks you into the denial trap. Deep sleep becomes a long-forgotten memory. Your dreams become lighter (if they're still there at all). And your mind is constantly "on edge," never able to relax. Then, the hidden costs start emerging. Low-grade guilt and toxic shame. But it's not dramatic. It's a subtle, ongoing strain that suffocates any feelings of deep peace, real rest, and carefree joy. You might get hits of these feelings, but they never last. Here's the good news: There is a way back, but you won't like it. Only through cultivating your moral value can you rediscover the feelings of deep peace, real rest, and carefree joy. It won't be easy. But the alternative - where you gradually let this low-grade tension overwhelm your nervous system, steal all of your joy, and deprive you of fulfillment - is far worse. Listen now. Show Highlights Include: The psychological resistance highly intelligent and successful people face when confronted with moral questions (and why you need morality to relax your nervous system) (1:32) How smart, successful, and decent people get lost in their own denial and self-sabotage their life (5:09) The real reason behind why you can't fall asleep at night, your dreams are lighter, and peace of mind is always out of your grasp (6:41) A strange, yet scientifically verified reason why the smarter you are, the more likely you are to fall into the denial trap. (This also explains why intelligent people join cults.) (8:10) The #1 most common fear of high achievers. (If you're quick to compare, feel constant pressure, or desire acceptance… you likely have this fear.) (9:30) How success morphs into a shield for your own toxic shame that you've buried (9:51) What happens subtly and under the surface of your awareness when your mind learns that your market value IS your value (21:43) The society-wide conditioning (first uncovered by a German psychologist in the 20th century) that's happening to you right now and explains why you lack self-worth (24:16) Are you trading your happiness for busyness and productivity? Most high-achievers make this deal without realizing it… here's how to void this contract (26:28) For more about David Tian, go here: https://www.davidtianphd.com/about/ Feeling like success in one area of life has come at the expense of another? Maybe you've crushed it in your career, but your relationships feel strained. Or you've built the life you thought you wanted, yet there's still something important missing. I've put together a free 3-minute assessment to help you see what's really holding you back. Answer a few simple questions, and you'll get instant access to a personalized masterclass that speaks directly to where you are right now. It's fast. It's practical. And it could change the way you approach leadership, love, and fulfillment. Take the first step here → https://dtphd.com/quiz
In this message from Gospel People, Paul opens his heart to the Corinthian church and shows us how deeply our relationships with others are shaped by our relationship with God. From integrity and sincerity to love and pastoral care, Paul's words remind us that gospel-centered living transforms how we speak, how we lead, and how we love. When our consciences are anchored in God's grace, our relationships can be marked by honesty, humility, and sacrificial care—even when things are hard.For more information about Integrity Church, visit our website, http://liveintegritychurch.org Connect with us on social media throughout the week to stay up to date on events and things happening at Integrity! Instagram: @integrity_church Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveintegrity/
https://chusermedia.s3.amazonaws.com/343090826_83689_Maintaining_A_Clear_Conscience.mp3 lbtrcsecretary@gmail.com Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 MST Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:00:00 MST Maintaining A Clear Conscience | Pastor DeGarmo | Sunday Morning Liberty Baptist Tabernacle No Maintaining A Clear Conscience | Pastor DeGarmo | Sunday Morning Liberty Baptist Tabernacle lbtr
Psalm 26 - The Psalm of a Clear Conscience
This is part 3 of the series titled Led by the Holy Spirit. In this message Pastor Vern teaches on the need for a clear conscience. https://www.pacbible.org/
Wouldn't you like to be able to walk through life with a clean conscience, unashamed by anything anyone can say about you? Time for a new year and a new you. The audio I played comes from: https://youtu.be/sm01jY4IDow?si=sctPq2-PYAcWUP3j
Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!In this episode, Bo Reynolds shares his inspiring journey of running, faith, and community.He takes us through his early days of running, major accomplishments, spiritual awakenings, and how he found a deeper purpose in life and running.Bo emphasizes the importance of faith, repentance, and following Jesus, while offering practical advice for new runners and recounting memorable race experiences.Join us for a heartfelt conversation that intertwines the disciplines of running with spiritual growth.Bo Reynolds - https://www.facebook.com/james.reynolds.908Races MentionedGO RunBourbon ChaseSouthern Odyssey RelayFirst Light MarathonStennis MarathonBlue Ridge RelayMountain Hood to Coast RelaySenior Bowl 10kBig Beach MarathonLafayette MarathonHouston MarathonBayou Half MarathonThis is Life 5kTurkey TrotBattleship 12kNew Orleans MarathonShout OutsJesusBen ReynoldsMatt MercerBlue Bell BombersRhonda CollinsTammy FordTimmy JerniganVictor BirchDarrenKeith EvansMelanie MooreSuanne White-spunnerSusan RhodesRodney BrownMary MeersAndra BruceDon RoscoeHolla at the DollaPaul SwannBruce StaufferKenzieJimmyJoeElizabeth ReynoldsAngelicaAndrew AllenJulius LunsfordDoug RobertsDr. WestBradley ThompsonDamien TullisLindseyPeggy OlivePort City PacersMaureen Van DevenderChristy EvansMicaiah RockwellFleet FeetSupport the showFor more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support me on Patreon!Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!Kristen RatherSteve TaylorMary TrufantSuzanne CristSuzanne ClarkAnna SzymanskiDave McDonaldKarla McInnisJames ContrattoJordan DuBoseCristy EvansSharonda ShulaNell GustavsonMeredith NationsAllyson SwannChris StrayhornKaren SaldivarStefan ClaytonRachael McRaeScott Thornhill
sermon notes
The presence of a good, clear conscience is necessary to avoid a shipwreck of life and destiny. In this message, we understand the power of a clear conscience unto preservation.
A Clear Conscience - 08-06-25 - Pastor Michael Mullings
Pastor Mike answers the question: Is it wrong for Christians to be engaged in smoking, drinking, or gambling?
Istrouma Baptist Church (BR) Aug 17, 2025 ========== August 17 - Field Guide for the Church Welcome! We're glad you've joined us today for our Sunday morning worship service! For more information about Istrouma, go to istrouma.org or contact us at info@istrouma.org. We glorify God by making disciples of all nations. ========== Connection Card https://istrouma.org/myinfo August 17, 2025 Matt Cate Acts 20:18-31 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus. “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. 1 Timothy 1:8-20 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me. I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen. Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. I. The Law Is for CONVICTION of SIN. vs. 8-11 II. Paul's TESTIMONY as an example of GRACE. 12-17 III. Paul's CHARGE to Timothy: REMEMBER, hold to FAITH, and keep a CLEAR CONSCIENCE. vs. 18-19 IV. The WARNING of those who SHIPWRECKED their FAITH. vs. 20 Want to receive weekly announcements in your inbox each week? https://istrouma.org/email Give Online Text ISTROUMA IBC to 73256 or go to: https://istrouma.org/give Our Website https://istrouma.org
Dr. Erwin Lutzer spoke at the Waukesha Expo for the VCY America Rally on March 18th, 2023. His topic was We Will Not Bow. Dr. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church where he served as the senior pastor for 36 years. He's the speaker on the radio programs Running to Win and Songs in the Night. He is a speaker and an award-winning author on several books. Some of his titles include The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, Life Changing Bible Verses You Should Know, We Will Not Be Silenced, No Reason to Hide and The Power of a Clear Conscience. Dr. Lutzer began by mentioning Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who told an interesting story. Solzhenitsyn said that in 1937 a speech was given by someone who extolled the virtues and the greatness of Stalin. When he finished, everyone rose to clap. Solzhenitsyn described how this went on for several minutes. Under such circumstances, who's going to sit down first? After 11 minutes of non-stop clapping, the director of a paper factory stopped his clapping and sat down. Everyone else then stopped as well and sat down. That same night the director of the paper factory was arrested and sent to prison for 10 years. During his interrogation he was told never to be the first one to stop clapping. Dr. Lutzer said, "How does freedom die? Solzhenitsyn would say with thunderous applause; everybody clapping at the Soviet system." Dr. Lutzer then asked if America is being "sovietized"? Victor Davis Hanson asked that question and he indicated that in the Soviet Union it wasn't merit that enabled people to climb the ladder. Instead, it was loud enthusiasm for the communist system.
Dr. Erwin Lutzer spoke at the Waukesha Expo for the VCY America Rally on March 18th, 2023. His topic was We Will Not Bow. Dr. Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of The Moody Church where he served as the senior pastor for 36 years. He's the speaker on the radio programs Running to Win and Songs in the Night. He is a speaker and an award-winning author on several books. Some of his titles include The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, Life Changing Bible Verses You Should Know, We Will Not Be Silenced, No Reason to Hide and The Power of a Clear Conscience. Dr. Lutzer began by mentioning Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn who told an interesting story. Solzhenitsyn said that in 1937 a speech was given by someone who extolled the virtues and the greatness of Stalin. When he finished, everyone rose to clap. Solzhenitsyn described how this went on for several minutes. Under such circumstances, who's going to sit down first? After 11 minutes of non-stop clapping, the director of a paper factory stopped his clapping and sat down. Everyone else then stopped as well and sat down. That same night the director of the paper factory was arrested and sent to prison for 10 years. During his interrogation he was told never to be the first one to stop clapping. Dr. Lutzer said, "How does freedom die? Solzhenitsyn would say with thunderous applause; everybody clapping at the Soviet system." Dr. Lutzer then asked if America is being "sovietized"? Victor Davis Hanson asked that question and he indicated that in the Soviet Union it wasn't merit that enabled people to climb the ladder. Instead, it was loud enthusiasm for the communist system.
Welcome to Linworth Road Church! We are glad you've found us online and pray that this message is meaningful to you.Linworth exists to help the spiritually lost and wounded join a community of people becoming fully alive, fully mature, and fully on-mission through the healing power of Jesus Christ and His Word.NEXT STEPS:OTHER SERMONS///WebsiteFacebookInstagramJoin us in person at 10 am on Sundays5400 Linworth RoadColumbus, OH 43235
A new MP3 sermon from First Christian Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Faith and a Clear Conscience Subtitle: Together We Grow Speaker: Rev. Tim Woods Broadcaster: First Christian Church Event: Devotional Date: 7/30/2025 Bible: 1 Timothy 1:19 Length: 1 min.
Mark Gottfried is an American men's college basketball coach, basketball podcaster, and former player who most recently served as head coach of the Cal State Northridge Matadors. Gottfried played one season at Oral Roberts and three seasons at Alabama, advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in each of his seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was an NBA draft pick but never played professionally, soon going into coaching. He spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at UCLA, including the team's 1995 NCAA championship season, three years as head coach at Murray State, eleven years as head coach at Alabama, and six seasons at North Carolina State before finishing his career at CSU Northridge. His teams won 432 games, advanced to 11 NCAA tournaments, and won multiple conference titles. In our conversation today, Mark shares his insights from growing up with a college coaches in his family, his lessons learned sitting on John Wooden's couch, the difference between being a head coach and an assistant, and so much more. Today he consults with coaches, leaders and organizations across the globe through his work at https://www.coachmarkgottfried.com/ BOOK A SPEAKER: Interested in having John, Jerry or both come to your school, club or coaching event? We are booking late Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 events, please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com to set up an introductory call. PUT IN YOUR BULK BOOK ORDERS FOR OUR BESTSELLING BOOKS, AND JOIN 2025 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS FROM SYRACUSE MENS LAX, UNC AND NAVY WOMENS LAX, AND MCLAREN F1! These are just the most recent championship teams using THE CHAMPION TEAMMATE book with their athletes and support teams. Many of these coaches are also getting THE CHAMPION SPORTS PARENT so their team parents can be part of a successful culture. Schools and clubs are using EVERY MOMENT MATTERS for staff development and book clubs. Are you? We have been fulfilling numerous bulk orders for some of the top high school and collegiate sports programs in the country, will your team be next? Click here to visit John's author page on Amazon Click here to visit Jerry's author page on Amazon Please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com if you want discounted pricing on 10 or more books on any of our books. Thanks everyone. This week's podcast is brought to you by our friends at Sprocket Sports. Sprocket Sports is a new software platform for youth sports clubs. Yeah, there are a lot of these systems out there, but Sprocket provides the full enchilada. They give you all the cool front-end stuff to make your club look good– like websites and marketing tools – AND all the back-end transactions and services to run your business better so you can focus on what really matters – your players and your teams. Sprocket is built for those clubs looking to thrive, not just survive, in the competitive world of youth sports clubs. So if you've been looking for a true business partner – not just another app – check them out today at https://sprocketsports.me/CTG. BECOME A PREMIUM MEMBER OF CHANGING THE GAME PROJECT TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST If you or your club/school is looking for all of our best content, from online courses to blog posts to interviews organized for coaches, parents and athletes, then become a premium member of Changing the Game Project today. For over a decade we have been creating materials to help change the game. and it has become a bit overwhelming to find old podcasts, blog posts and more. Now, we have organized it all for you, with areas for coaches, parents and even athletes to find materials to help compete better, and put some more play back in playing ball. Clubs please email John@ChangingTheGameProject.com for pricing. Become a Podcast Champion! This weeks podcast is also sponsored by our Patreon Podcast Champions. Help Support the Podcast and get FREE access to our Premium Membership, with well over $1000 of courses and materials. If you love the podcast, we would love for you to become a Podcast Champion, (https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions) for as little as a cup of coffee per month (OK, its a Venti Mocha), to help us up the ante and provide even better interviews, better sound, and an overall enhanced experience. Plus, as a $10 per month Podcast Super-Champion, you will be granted a Premium Changing the Game Project Membership, where you will have access to every course, interview and blog post we have created organized by topic from coaches to parents to athletes. Thank you for all your support these past eight years, and a special big thank you to all of you who become part of our inner circle, our patrons, who will enable us to take our podcast to the next level. https://www.patreon.com/wayofchampions
Psalm 7 When have you been falsely accused? In You Do I Take Refuge What is a clear conscience? You Who Test the Minds and Hearts Why is it important to keep a clear conscience? If I Have Done This How do we keep a clear conscience?
6/25/25. Five Minutes in the Word scriptures for today: 2 Corinthians 1:12. Confidence and a Clear Conscience. Resources: biblehub.com; logos.com; ChatGPT; and Life Application Study Bible. Listen daily at 10:00 am CST on https://kingdompraiseradio.com. November 2021 Podchaser list of "60 Best Podcasts to Discover!" LISTEN, LIKE, FOLLOW, SHARE! #MinutesWord; @MinutesWord; #dailybiblestudy #dailydevotional #christianpodcaster #diversity https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9zaXqv64YaCjh88XIJckA/videos https://m.youtube.com/@hhwscott
1 Thessalonians 2:10 by Marcus Mullet | Lead Elder
“Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” (1 Timothy 1:19 NLT) Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes, was a bit of a practical joker. One day, he jotted notes to twelve of his friends and sent them off with no name signed to them. On the notes he wrote these words: “Flee at once—all is discovered.” Within twenty-four hours, all twelve of the people who received the notes had left the country. Doyle got a big laugh out of showing what happens when people have guilty consciences. Your conscience may be the most overlooked part of you. If you did a quick online search, you’d find hundreds of articles and tips for keeping your heart healthy. Or improving your memory. Or protecting your skin. Or taking care of other important parts of your body. But what about your conscience? The apostle Paul emphasized its importance when he gave this advice to Timothy for choosing deacons: “They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9 NLT). Everyone has a conscience. In Romans 2:14–15, Paul said, “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right” (NLT). Not everyone appreciates their conscience. Some people treat it like a nagging companion who always starts complaining just when things begin to get fun. They learn to ignore or disable it. And that’s a huge mistake. Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:2 about people whose “consciences are dead” (NLT). Your conscience is actually one of the most valuable gifts God has given you. You don’t have to guess at what’s right or wrong. You can sense it, deep in your heart, thanks to your God-given conscience. Let’s look at one more warning from Paul to Timothy: “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked” (1 Timothy 1:19 NLT). Many believers spend a lot of time trying to discover God’s will for their lives. But in most cases, it’s not a one-time reveal. It’s the dozens of daily decisions we make that bring us closer to Him. Every day we’re given choices to do right or wrong. Every time we choose to do right, to obey God—using our conscience—we grow closer to Him. The closer we are to Him, the better we can see the doors He opens and closes. The closer we are to Him, the better we can sense His leading in key situations. The closer we are to Him, the better we can recognize His hand in the events around us. If you want to discover God’s will for your life, stay close to Him and keep your conscience clear. Reflection question: What can you do to keep your conscience performing at a high level? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
There is hope and freedom in Christ for all who carry shame. Using Scripture, Dr. Erwin Lutzer helps you as a believer to overcome shame, replacing it with the beauty of God’s grace through Jesus’ death on the cross. Learn about overcoming secondhand guilt and the five steps to clearing your conscience in this spiritually uplifting conversation. Receive the book The Power of a Clear Conscience plus a free audio download of "Experiencing Freedom from Shame" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive. Get More Episode Resources If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
There is hope and freedom in Christ for all who carry shame. Using Scripture, Dr. Erwin Lutzer helps you as a believer to overcome shame, replacing it with the beauty of God’s grace through Jesus’ death on the cross. Learn about overcoming secondhand guilt and the five steps to clearing your conscience in this spiritually uplifting conversation. Receive the book The Power of a Clear Conscience plus a free audio download of "Experiencing Freedom from Shame" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive. Get More Episode Resources If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.
This episode is one of Pastor Jack Abeelen's recent radio broadcasts. Pastor Jack's teachings are broadcast every weekday on over 400 radio stations across the country.The Growing Thru Grace radio broadcast is an outreach of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.
This episode is one of Pastor Jack Abeelen's recent radio broadcasts. Pastor Jack's teachings are broadcast every weekday on over 400 radio stations across the country.The Growing Thru Grace radio broadcast is an outreach of Morningstar Christian Chapel in Whittier, California.To see more of Pastor Jack's Bible studies, visit our Morningstar Christian Chapel channel at https://www.youtube.com/@morningstarcc.To subscribe to our Podcast newsletter go to http://eepurl.com/iGzsP6.If you would like to support our electronic ministry, you may do so by going to our donations page at https://morningstarcc.churchcenter.com/giving/to/podcast.Visit our church website at https://morningstarcc.org.
Join us as teaching elder Adam Vinson continues our study through the book of Acts. Notes from today's sermon can be seen here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ds5LPweQikxBB095MnXcTJL0HTEoCNPn/view
Serving with Sympathy
To keep a clear conscience before both God and people, we must serve them with love and sympathy as God defines, not as we or they might prefer.
Acts 23:1-5 Delivered March 23, 2025 at Disciples of Christ Worship Center, New Roads, LA
Acts 23:1-5 Delivered March 23, 2025 at Disciples of Christ Worship Center, New Roads, LA
Acts 23:1-5 Delivered March 23, 2025 at Disciples of Christ Worship Center, New Roads, LA
Welcome back to the podcast! Todqy, we continue our study of Acts with Acts 23-24, discussing how exactly to have a clear conscience! Be sure to rate this show if you enjoy it, God bless you!--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --In Acts 23–24, we find the Apostle Paul standing trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin and later before the Roman governor Felix. Throughout these intense encounters, Paul boldly declares, "I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day" (Acts 23:1). His words and actions in these chapters offer insights into how to have a clear conscience before God.Q. How do you cultivate a clear conscience?I'm using “cultivate” on purpose. It's like a tender plant that needs attentionEx: Trying to keep a plant alive or cultivate a gardenIn Greek philosophy, conscience (syneidēsis) was understood as an internal moral compass, a faculty of self-awareness and judgment regarding right and wrong. This is the fundamental problem with the secular idea of conscience: who gets to decide what's right and wrong? Today's Oxford defn: an inner feeling or voice viewed as acting as a guide to the rightness or wrongness of one's behavior.Our definition of sin (Pursuit Lesson 4): Sin is going your own way, trusting and acting on your own opinions and feelings instead of on God's truth. Hebrew thought associated conscience more with the heart (lev), emphasizing moral responsibility in light of God's law. From The Meaning of “Heart” in Hebrew: the concept of the “heart” is best understood as the “inner person” – the seat of our mind (thoughts), emotions (feelings), and will (intentions).In the NT, we'll see today: in light of Christ's work on the cross and the gift of the HS, having a clear conscience is about submitting your whole self – thoughts, feelings, intentions – to the Way of Jesus. Before we get to Paul's speech in Acts, let's start with his first letter to TimothyThis gives us good context for what we'll be reading in ActsIt also helps us to understand the value of a clear conscienceIt's not just good for you, your inner lifeIt's also good for the people around you, it impacts your ability to love1 Timothy 1:5 (NLT) 5 The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.The purpose = believers would be filled with loveRing a bell? Greatest commandment = LOVEWhere that love comes from:a pure heart, The whole NEW self – thoughts, feelings, intentionsAlready perfected in the court of heaven, not yet here on earthBut the longer...
Resting on the Immutable
If we are to navigate the variabilities of this present life with confidence and a godly attitude then we must trust in the immutability of God and his good overarching plan.
Aiming to Be a Blessing
Our love for God's people ought to drive us to a purely-motivated loving service and care that goes even beyond what we think is possible.
When there are misunderstandings, hurt, and conflict we must seek to repair the problems without ever compromising our integrity before God.
A clear conscience before God should be the goal of every Christian. Although it cannot earn us heaven (only Christ can do that), it can give us boldness before men & invite the presence of God into our lives.
Knowing Our Absolute Standard
We must be especially attuned to the state of our conscience, making sure it is rightly calibrated to God's truth, and then faithfully followed by God's grace.