Clear or Cloudy Conscience?

"But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (NASB95, 1 Ti 1:5.)

Both Paul and Peter emphasize the extreme importance of a "good" or "clear" conscience.  Every serious minded  Christian will want to give attention to this quality, but especially young leaders. Paul exhorts Timothy in this regard in 1 Tim 1:19; 3:9; and 2 Tim 1:3. Peter emphasizes a clear conscience in 1 Pet 3:16 and 21. Paul puts it's importance right up there with a "pure heart" and a "sincere faith".  Paul warns Timothy that some have "rejected" a clear conscience and have actually "suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith." (NASB95, 1 Ti 1:19b)

So how about me?  Just how clear is my conscience?  And if it's not clear, why not? 

There are at least four causes for a cloudy conscience:

1. Sins of commission
2. Sins of omission
3. Sins others have committed against me
4. Sins others have committed against my loved ones

1. Sins of commission

Certainly much of the guilt and shame we carry comes from sins we commit, past or present.  We come to Christ knowing we are sinners in need of a Savior.  We are washed in the blood and reconciled through the cross of Christ.  Still it is possible, even likely, that sins we commit continue to haunt us.  Scripture teaches that our sins are not only forgiven, but forgotten. Heb 8:12 states, “FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."  Even though God forgets, we may not find forgetting so easy.

     " I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience"- Paul in 2 Tim 1:3

The Apostle Paul is an amazing example of a man who committed horrendous sins as an unbeliever and yet developed a clear conscience in Christ.  In 1 Tim 1:12-20 Paul recounts his background as a persecutor of the church.  He calls himself "a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor" (v. 13) and chief of sinners. This chapter concludes with an exhortation to Timothy for a clear conscience.  It seems as though Paul was able to reconcile his past sins with true forgiveness in Christ.  He wanted Timothy to experience the same benefit. 

"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these" (Gal 5:19-21, NASB95)

Sins of the flesh can often cause a cycle of sin, guilt, and confession.  It is not until we learn to walk in the power of the Spirit that we will begin to see victory over the power of the flesh. Habitual sin and addictive patterns can pose a real challenge.  Many have realized they must find more mature Christians who have struggled with similar issues to help them along.

 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (NASB95, Gal 5:16)

2. Sins of omission

In James 4:17 we are reminded that sins of omission can pose just as great a threat as sins of commission.

   "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Often our conscience is hurt not by what we do, but by what we fail to do.  For the perfectionist, or even those with very high standards, sins of omission can do more harm to our conscience than any other.  It's important to remember that none of us will reach perfection, this side of heaven.  An important aspect of making Christ Lord is to allow Him to be our Judge. As the Apostle Paul stated,

          "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God."

(1 Cor 4:1-5, NASB95)

3. Sins others have committed against you

It's very easy to respond improperly when we are hurt by others.  Whether the hurt is intended or accidental, the pain is very real.  We may seek revenge.  We may speak badly of that person.  We may break off all interaction.  We may harbor hurt feelings and resentment.  This can be true with groups as well as individuals.  Our hurt can be directed at whole churches or organizations.  Improper response to hurt will cloud our conscience significantly.  We are called to reconciliation.

    “Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering."(Mt 5:23-24, NASB95)

4. Sins others have committed against your loved ones. 

This cause for a cloudy conscience may be the most subtle, the least evident, and the hardest to correct.  It's one thing when we have been offended, quite another when we take up an offense for someone else.  How many churches and Christian ministries have been irreparably damaged by this sin.  Although no specific verse speaks to this particular issue, several can instruct. 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Mt 5:9, NASB95)

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men." (Ro 12:18, NASB95)

  

"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" (2 Co 5:18, NASB95)

A clear conscience is certainly one of the greatest blessings associated with salvation.  But so few seem to be able to experience it.  There are probably many reasons why we struggle with this issue.  There are various causes for a cloudy conscience and each is handled differently.  Ultimately all are solved by the cleansing and forgiveness in Christ and the new life He imparts.  A guilty conscience will motivate us to seek to understand and apply this salvation more fully.  A clear conscience is an inheritance each of has the right to, though we may need to work to secure and maintain it.