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Matters of Conscience Romans 14.1-6 Introduction: The Christian must be concerned with their conscience. . The word "conscience" means "to know with, or to know together with." The idea is to be consistent with what one knows to be truth. Let me stress this point. We must stay true to the principles and commands in the word of God. Paul sought to have a conscience void of offense (Acts 24.16). Yet he had persecuted the Way. Paul taught Christians to obey civil government for the sake of their conscience (Romans 13.5). Purpose of the Gospel is three fold with a clear conscience being one of those, 1 Timothy 1.5. He urged Timothy to seek a good conscience (1 Timothy 3.9). At the same time we know that it is possible to sear one's conscience (1 Timothy 4.2) or have a defiled conscience (Titus 1.15). When one ignores his conscience , he sins There are usually three errors associated with the conscience. These will constitute our lesson. I) The Stronger and the Weaker Brother A) The stronger must not influence the weaker to violate his conscience, 1 Corinthians 8.1-13 1. when one causes another to violate his conscience, he makes him sin. 2. This is the reason Paul spoke so in 1 Corinthians 8.13 and Romans 14.14. B) It is wrong for stronger brethren to compel weaker brethren to give up their scruples, or lack of them, in some particular point. II) Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide A) Denominations have championed this view for years, not realizing that one's conscience reacts only to what it has been taught. 1. The Bible condemns certain activity and we must not fellowship the unfruitful works of darkness, Ephesians 5.11. 2. We must not cloak ourselves in sin, 1 Thess. 5.22 B) One may conscientiously do what is wrong 1. Paul had lived conscientiously (Acts 23.1) 2. This includes the time when he persecuted the church in good conscience, but ignorantly {and guilty of sin} (1 Timothy 1.13) 3. One cannot act as so many teach, "If it feels good, do it." This will lead many to sin. C) In which case a brother or sister needs to point out the problem, Galatians 6.1ff 1. How do we know if it is simply a matter of conscience or sin? 2. Is it only a matter of application or a violation? III) Let My Conscience Be Your Guide A) Many fall into this category and this can cause a lot of problems 1. Must use caution to not become domineering over others 2. Bully or crowding someone to accept the personal view of another is distasteful and wrong. 3. When such takes place it fully violates the principle of conscientious scruples, especially Romans 14.5. B) Many have conscientious scruples in many matters. 1. Not that there are contradictions. We are discussing applications of Bible truths and principles. 2. Some examples: a. You have two men who are equally opposed to the use of strong drink. Both are truck drivers one would not haul beer from the distributor while the other would. "Let each be fully convinced in their own mind." b. How far does the application go in opposition to strong drink? May I eat a meal where alcohol is served/ May I buy groceries where alcohol is sold? May I buy gasoline where alcohol is sold? May I buy my prescription medicines where alcohol is sold? Do you see all of these situations as the same? Do you see them as different or in varying degrees? "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." c. A good friend of mine worked as a electrician before he started preaching. From time to time he has taken on jobs where he has worked on houses that were being sold. A lady called him and wanted him to work on her new house. He had mean while learned that she was co-habiting with another woman. He refused to do the job. d. Other areas: taking government aid, serving in law enforcement, the war issue, etc. 3. We are all going to be called upon to act in certain situations and circumstances where we will apply a judgment based on what the Scriptures say and also include our personal opinions and conscience. Others may question our decisions. But, they have no right to press their personal opinion or conscience on anyone else. "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." 4. Nevertheless, there are many wanting to press their scruples on everyone else. Sometimes under the guise of "someone is right and someone is wrong" idea. Conclusion: One must be consistent with conscience as taught by the word of God. To do otherwise is sin. One may do wrong with a clear conscience. The conscience is not an infallible guide. In personal applications we must respect others (Romans 14.10). Many divisions have arisen because someone decided to press their conscience under the guise of convictions. Let me clear-- the ones who press personal scruples and cause division will be held accountable for their actions. (Note: Most of this outline came by way of Terry Sanders) |