TUESDAY, AUGUST 29
John 8:1-11
John 8:9

"…being convicted by
their own conscience…"

A SANCTIFIED CONSCIENCE (3)

The term "conscience" can be found only in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, the general term "heart" is usually used to refer to the specific functions of "conscience" as used in the New Testament. "And David’s heart smote him after that he had numbered the people…" (2 Sam 24:10; cf. Acts 2:37), and "a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Ps 51:17). The English word "conscience" is from the Latin conscientia, a compound of con ("together" or "with") and scire ("to know"). It is a translation of the Greek suneídēsis, literally "knowledge with" — knowledge of oneself (about one’s sins or goodness) with (or based on) his own accepted standard of morality. This noun is used in the Greek New Testament at least thirty times. It is used first in John 8 to refer to those who condemned the woman taken in adultery after the Lord challenged them. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her" (John 8:7) and then "they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one" (John 8:9). Their conscience was convicted by Jesus’ Word! What about yours?

Based on Romans 2:15, the conscience is a faculty "which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing (defending) one another." Therefore, the basic functions of the conscience are: (1) "bearing witness" (of who we are or of what we are doing with discernment – Rom 9:1; 2 Cor 1:12); (2) "accusing" (and making us remorseful or regretful about our mistakes, shortcomings, sins, failures – John 8:9; Acts 2:37); and (3) "excusing" or defending (ourselves for our right thinking or good deeds – Acts 23:1; 24:16; 1 Pet 3:16). Without a good conscience, many are not aware that they are living in sin and idolatry! They may even justify and defend themselves! It is so dangerous for those who are fighting against God’s Word and God’s children and yet think that they are serving the Lord (John 16:2). Truly, "There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness" (Prov 30:12). What about your conscience?

THOUGHT: It is vital to have a good and sanctified conscience.
PRAYER: Lord, please wash and sanctify my conscience.