MAY 7, 2016
The conscience 5
1 Corinthians 8:7-10″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. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols”
In our earlier posts we said that a mans conscience is influenced a lot by the information he is exposed to and the knowledge that he has.
Take for instance, the example used by the apostle, eating things offered to idols. Normally I would think the man who eats meat offered to idols would be the man with a “weak conscience”.
But Paul says the man with the “weak conscience” is the one who takes offence at the one who eats the meat!
He sees another do something seemingly wrong which according to knowledge is not wrong and is offended. He begins to doubt the “others” salvation. Paul says his conscience is weak.
Let’s use an example that’s closer to home.
A particular lady grows up in a church where trousers are said to be sinful and attachments or braids plus cosmetics is of the devil. In her conscience she views these things as evil. Are they evil? No! But she views it as evil.
So if she attempts to use them her conscience will convict her! Why? Because that’s the information at work in her conscience.
Now if she sees another “former non trouser wearing sister ” wearing trouser she gets offended in her heart.
Why?
Her conscience is weak.
Now if she proceeds to wear the trousers without properly understanding why it is not wrong or use cosmetics without understanding why it is not wrong, as she sinned? Yes!
Against God?
No!
But against her conscience.
Because anything not of faith is sin.
See here
Romans 14:19-23 “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Understand?
Never violate your conscience.
However, as you grow in revelation you will see that you will do somethings you thought was wrong but wasn’t and you will stop doing things you thought were right and weren’t.
CONFESSION: I do not violate your conscience, I do things that are of faith only because I am born of God. Amen.
FURTHER BIBLE READING: 1 Corinthians 15, Ezra 4
Share with others
