As Kyle Strobel and John Coe move on in Chapter 6 of When God Seems Distant, they address one notable problem with the conscience. We often seek to placate our conscience rather than turning to the Lord. As a result, we seek to silence the conscience. Hence, we do whatever we think will make it stop panging.
Therefore, rather than seeking faithfulness, we like to assume that whatever silences our conscience must be faithful. So, in the process, the conscience turns our attention to our experiences of ourselves. Then the conscience uses that to make us believe we are experiencing God.
Consequently, Kyle and John counsel:
“Biblically, the conscience is a psychological response to whatever law has been internalized into your heart. . . . Importantly, [the apostle Paul] claims that it is in and through our experiences in life that our conscience is formed and transformed, and not simply through information we learn (1 C0r. 8:7-12). We do not simply decide what our conscience will respond to, and we cannot transform our broken conscience by shouting the trust into our souls.”
In conclusion, the authors acknowledge, the conscience often aligns with God’s law. However, they note, that is both good news and bad. The good news? It orients us to the truth of God’s call. And the bad news? It also comes with the condemning features of the law. In this latter sense, the conscience tends to function apart from Christ.
Today’s question: When do you view your conscience as God’s infallible voice? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Secure hiding place away from God”