A Question Of Conscience

[Dorcas]

<div align="center">Christian Conscience – a Force to Help Us Walk in a Course of Godly Devotion</div>
Conscience is the voice of the secret self; it either excuses or accuses (Rom. 2:15)


Conscience is an interplay between the mind which accumulates facts and the heart which is the source of cravings and affections; emotional and moral qualities which make up the inner self.

Conscience is affected by our
(1) background, including

Associations
Education
Prejudices
(2) Life experiences

(3) Degree of wisdom and understanding we&#39;ve gained from study of the Bible

These things form our focal point which may run the continuum from:

Conservative to Liberal
The strong may appear over-righteous to others; the weak may appear permissive

Time and effort are involved in doing God&#39;s will. We must train our consciences by reading the Bible, meditating on what we read, and praying for God&#39;s spirit and direction. (Ps.25:4,5; 143:10: Prov. 3:6)

How our conscience helps us make decisions:

Ask if what you plan to do is condemned by God&#39;s Word (Ps. 37:27)
Will it stumble someone (1Cor. 10:23,24,32
Do I have doubts (Rom. 14:23)
1 Cor. 10:31b "…do all things for God&#39;s glory".Thought this info might be interestiing in light of the many decisions we face these days. Satan doesn&#39;t make it easy!!
Love to all who love God...Dorcashttp://e-jehovahs-witnesses.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/MSN%20Vlinder.gif

[Jeshurun]

I enjoyed this very much, Dorcas. Thank you for this research.

Inculcating Jehovah&#39;s way of thinking into our minds and hearts gives us a wonderful chance of having our conscience guide us in making the decisions leading to everlasting life in his new system!

[DoubtingThomas]

Much to think about here Dorcas. For those who say "let your conscience be your guide" let us hope that they have a godly trained conscience, as our conscience influences our actions and our actions may determine our eternal salvation. Thanks for your research and post.

[Nash]

Excellent thread, Dorcas.

You&#39;ve summed the subject up quite nicely.

This is an interesting subject you&#39;ve raised because this is a subject that I too have been contemplating these days. Many individuals in the world (and even many within the Kingdom Halls, sadly), have their consciences distorted, yet they may appear to be in fine working order by the majority, and they will make it appear that those who actually have healthy consciences and are making good decisions appear foolish. Let&#39;s be vigilant and stick to Jehovah&#39;s standards.

The tool to unearth whether or not a conscience is functioning properly is the bible and the principles contained within.

Nash

[eyes&ears]

Hi Dorcas,

I really appreciated your post. :ban_dance01: You are so right and both your posts are very powerful. and appreciated.

It is so very important when making decisions/choices to see the Big Picture as you so beautifully reminded us. Once those decisions/choices are put into action, we will reap the consequences and Jehovah will not remove those consequences.

So now after learning all that I have learned these past several years I also ask myself will I really be able to deal with the results of this decision and is it necessary, do I need to do this now, do I need to do this at all. What will be the results of this decision/choice.

But most importantly as you showed us, how will Jehovah feel about this. Your information was not only interesting, but very HELPFUL to me. GOOD FOOD FOR THOUGHT especially for these times and for the future.

Wonderful helpful and insightful posts Dorcas. May Jehovah continue to bless you as you grow and also as you help others. We sure need these reminders, they are a blessing.

Jeremiah 10:23, 24
GA 6:7
Prov 3:5-7

Love to you and yours

E & E

[Nambo]

Only thing I would modify from your excellant post Dorcas is where you say:-
------------------------------------------
" Conservative to Liberal
The strong may appear over-righteous to others; the weak may appear permissive " --------------------------------------

I would also give the option that the Conservative may appear over-righteous to others: the Liberal may appear permissive

otherwise the impression could be that the stricter you are and the more harsh and demanding you paint Jehovah to be, the spiritually stonger you are and anything less is a sign of weakness.
Whereas it could well be the other way around for "all things are clean to clean people", just look at how Adam and Eve could walk around naked in the Garden of Eden in front of Jehovah, just look at how infants can be yet are not sinning or weak.

I moved from a very spiritual congreagation which, whilst by no means permissive, painted Jehovah as a sound God of Love that wanted us to enjoy life but in harmony with Biblical guidelines.
I went to a "strong" congreagation where every breath you take was some sort of sin, I fell out of Love with the Jehovah I thought I knew as did many other people.
This over-righteos congreagation who would wash thier hands up to the elbows was by no means strong in a Spiritual sense.

[Hot Pie]

Only thing I would modify from your excellant post Dorcas is where you say:-
------------------------------------------
" Conservative to Liberal
The strong may appear over-righteous to others; the weak may appear permissive "--------------------------------------

I would also give the option that the Conservative may appear over-righteous to others: the Liberal may appear permissive

otherwise the impression could be that the stricter you are and the more harsh and demanding you paint Jehovah to be, the spiritually stonger you are and anything less is a sign of weakness.
Whereas it could well be the other way around for "all things are clean to clean people", just look at how Adam and Eve could walk around naked in the Garden of Eden in front of Jehovah, just look at how infants can be yet are not sinning or weak.

I moved from a very spiritual congreagation which, whilst by no means permissive, painted Jehovah as a sound God of Love that wanted us to enjoy life but in harmony with Biblical guidelines.
I went to a "strong" congreagation where every breath you take was some sort of sin, I fell out of Love with the Jehovah I thought I knew as did many other people.
This over-righteos congreagation who would wash thier hands up to the elbows was by no means strong in a Spiritual sense.[/b]

Nambo, you&#39;re quite right,

[NEW HEART]

Dear Nambo,

You said this that I found to be of importance...("Whereas it could well be the other way around for "all things are clean to clean people", just look at how Adam and Eve could walk around naked in the Garden of Eden in front of Jehovah, just look at how infants can be yet are not sinning or weak.")

This is where it reminds me of when Jesus said we must become as young children to enter the Kingdom of God.

Young children are always so loving and forgiving. They look at things in life with a sweet, simple , and happy nature and have unconditional love for all. Have you ever noticed that a young child forgives freely after you have just scolded them, and run around the house naked after a bath.. :icon_redface: Thats because they are so innocent and carefree, still set free and untouched from the guilt from mens indoctrinations and the harshness of this world. They havent been corrupted by men&#39;s thoughts and are still free and close to Jehovah. Thats why I have noticed in Kingdom halls many of the carefree childlike hearts of those who walk with God are often labeled, as week , foolish, immature, and unlovingly misjudged by others who are devout, fault-finding, unbendable, uncaring, and heartless types that are falsely looked upon as the "strong ones". :imnotworthy:


Jehovah knows who are his sheep because he can read the heart.

Sis,
New Heart

[billy]

when i first learned about Jehovah - i was over righteous - i couldnt understand the parable of the "prodigal son" - now many years down the tract of the bumpy road of life

i now understand the message behind the "prodigal son"

the brother was self righteous and lacked mercy, forgiveness, understanding, love

i&#39;ve learned that "love" is the key ingredient to forming a proper conscience

and Jehovah and Jesus have shown us the proper boundries to guide this special "love"