Articles
Why The Conscience?
For years we have opposed the false standard of those who say, "Just let your conscience be your guide!" We have pointed out that Saul of Tarsus (Paul) "lived before God in all good conscience" (Acts 23:1) while he was "breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord" (Acts 9:1). We read verse like Jer. 10:23 to show that man cannot guide himself. We turn to 2 John 9 and show the word of God is the proper standard for our lives. We do all of these things but to no avail. Men still cry "just let your conscience be your guide."
Interestingly, letting one's conscience be one's guide would in many cases be an improvement. This is true because most men do not live as good as they know to live. They steal, lie, and cheat – even when they ‘know better.’
In fact, even many Christians would be improved if they "just let your Biblically educated conscience be your guide." They know they should be giving liberally (2 Cor. 9:6), studying more (2 Tim. 2:15), telling others the good news (Mark 16:15; Acts 8:4; 2 Tim. 2:2), joining with the saints every time they assemble (Heb. 10:25), etc., Yes, "just let your conscience be your guide" would be an improvement for many folks.
