How to Keep Your Conscience Clear

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the transformative power of Jesus' bloodshed, highlighting its significance for cleansing consciences and granting believers direct access to God. They discuss the importance of maintaining a clear conscience, acknowledging differing personal convictions and the dangers of legalism. Drawing from biblical texts, the speaker illustrates that true conscience aligns with scripture and warns against justifying sinful behavior. Through personal anecdotes, they reflect on their ministry experiences and the necessity of being attuned to the Holy Spirit's guidance, reinforcing the idea that a clear conscience enhances one's relationship with God.

Takeaways

• 😀 Jesus shed His blood seven times for our conscience to be cleansed, allowing us to draw near to God.
• 😀 Believers have direct access to God through Christ, who serves as our High Priest.
• 😀 A clear conscience enables us to approach God with boldness and authority.
• 😀 Different individuals may have varying convictions, and it's important to respect those differences.
• 😀 Violating one's conscience due to others' beliefs can lead to legalism and confusion.
• 😀 Personal convictions can evolve through a deeper understanding of Scripture and revelation.
• 😀 The Holy Spirit guides believers to align their conscience with the teachings of the Bible.
• 😀 It's crucial to avoid judging others based on differing practices or beliefs.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that the conscience should never contradict the written Word of God.
• 😀 Learning from both positive and negative examples in ministry helps in personal growth and understanding.

Q & A

What is the significance of Jesus shedding his blood seven times?

The seven times Jesus shed his blood symbolize the cleansing of our conscience, allowing believers to approach God and enter the Holy of Holies through their faith in Christ.

How does a clear conscience affect a believer's relationship with God?

A clear conscience enables believers to have unclouded communication with God, allowing them to act with authority and confidence in their spiritual practices without being held back by sin.

What does the speaker say about the differences in individual consciences?

The speaker emphasizes that individual consciences can differ significantly, as they are influenced by personal experiences and journeys of faith, thus what might be acceptable for one person may not be for another.

How should believers handle differing convictions regarding practices like observing a day of rest?

Believers should respect one another's convictions and avoid judgment, understanding that personal faith journeys and convictions may lead to different practices and interpretations.

What is the relationship between a believer's conscience and the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers, helping to maintain a clear conscience that aligns with God's will and enabling them to hear His voice clearly.

What caution does the speaker give regarding following one's conscience?

The speaker warns that one should never follow a conscience that contradicts the written word of God, as this may indicate a misleading or deceptive influence rather than genuine conviction.

How does the speaker differentiate between legalism and genuine faith?

The speaker highlights that imposing personal convictions on others can lead to legalism, whereas genuine faith is characterized by love, understanding, and respect for individual differences in beliefs and practices.

What biblical references does the speaker cite to support his points?

The speaker references Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8 to illustrate the importance of personal conscience and the need to avoid causing others to stumble in their faith.

How does the speaker describe the teachings of Hillel and Shammai?

The speaker describes Hillel as having a more liberal interpretation of the law focused on love, while Shammai took a literalist approach, emphasizing that both perspectives can lead to the same underlying principle of love for one's neighbor.

What final message does the speaker convey about the role of conscience in a believer's life?

The final message is that maintaining a clear conscience in alignment with the word of God is essential for spiritual growth and for hearing God's voice clearly, ensuring that one acts in accordance with divine guidance.