Repent and Turn Ministries


Your Conscience

God gave you a conscience; you know right from wrong. Listen to the voice of your conscience. It will remind you of sins that you have committed. The word "conscience" (con + science) means "with knowledge".

Whenever we sin, we do so "with knowledge" that what we're doing is wrong. Many people snuff out the light of their conscience by giving in to sin and living for themselves, not realizing the terrible consequences of their actions.

We can see the work of God's Law (Ten Commandments) illustrated in civil law. For example, when there is no visible sign of the law on a freeway, motorists often transgress the speed limit.

Apparently each speedster says to himself tht the law has forgotten to patrol his part of the freeway. He is transgressing the law by only 15 mph, and besides, he isn't the only one doing it.

Notice what happens when the law enters the fast lane, with red lights flashing. The speedster's heart misses a beat. He is no longer secure in the fact that other motorists are also speeding. He knows that he is personally as guilty as the next guy, and he could be the one the law pulls over.

The fact that there are other people doing it is irrelevant. Suddenly, his "mere" 15 mph transgression doesn't seem such a small thing after all; it seems to abound.

Look at the freeway of sin. The whole world naturally goes with the flow. Who hasn't had an "affair" (or desired to) at one time or another? Who in today's society doesn't tell the occasional "white" lie?

Who doesn't take something that belongs to someone else, even if it's just a little "white-collar" crime? Sinners know they are doing wrong, but their security is in the fact that so many others are just as guily, if not more so.

It seems God has forgotten all about sin and the Ten Commandments; the sinner says in his heart, "God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see it" (Psalm 10:11).

Now watch the Law enter with red lights flashing. The sinner's heart skips a beat. He lays his hand upon his mouth. He examines the speedomoter of his conscience. Suddenly, it shows him the measure of his guilt in a new light--the light of the Law.

His sense of security in the fact that there are multitudes doing the same thing becomes irrelevant, because every man will give an account of himself to God. Sin not only becomes personal, it seems to "abound."

His mere lust becomes adultery of the heart (Matthew 5:27-28); his white lie, false witness (Revelation 21:8); his own way becomes rebellion; his hatred, murder (I john 3:15); his "sticky" fingers make him a thief.

According to the Scriptures, the real function of the law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin (not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance (Romans 3:20).