NURTURING THE CONSCIENCE INTO THE TRUTH (1)

"I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit." — Romans 9:1

As we arrive at Romans 9 in our systematic study of the book of Romans, I found myself arrested by this single verse. I expected Paul simply to say that the Holy Spirit bore witness to his sincerity. Instead, he introduced another witness—his conscience.

This raises important questions: What is the conscience? How does it become a witness to the truth? Can it always be trusted?

The conscience is the inward faculty by which a person discerns right from wrong. It serves as an inner moral compass that either approves or condemns our thoughts, words, and actions (Romans 2:14–15). God created the conscience to restrain evil and encourage righteousness. Yet, because of the fall of man, the conscience itself is not infallible. It can function independently of God's revealed truth and may become distorted if it is not continually shaped by His Word and Spirit.

Many people treat their conscience as the highest authority. Once they feel inwardly convinced, they proceed without seeking God's direction. However, Scripture warns us:

"The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it?" — Jeremiah 17:9

Therefore, the conscience must never replace God as our final authority. It must be trained, purified, and continually submitted to the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures (Psalm 119:9–11; Hebrews 4:12).

The Bible speaks of different conditions of the conscience:

A good conscience — Acts 23:1; 1 Timothy 1:5

A pure conscience — 1 Timothy 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:3

A weak conscience — 1 Corinthians 8:7–12

A defiled conscience — Titus 1:15

An evil conscience — Hebrews 10:22

A seared conscience — 1 Timothy 4:2

These descriptions reveal that the conscience is not fixed. It can either grow healthier or become increasingly corrupt depending on how it is nurtured.

1. Companionship

"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" — 1 Corinthians 15:33

The people we associate with greatly influence our conscience. No matter how sincere our intentions may be, wrong companionship gradually reshapes our values.

A striking example is Amnon. His sinful desire for Tamar did not mature on its own; it was encouraged by the crafty counsel of his friend Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:1–5). A corrupt friend strengthened an already unhealthy heart until it produced terrible evil.

Another example is found in Genesis 21:9–10. Sarah insisted that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. Beyond the issue of inheritance, she understood that Isaac's spiritual formation required a different environment. Ishmael had already displayed a mocking spirit, fulfilling the prophecy concerning him:

"He shall be a wild donkey of a man; his hand against everyone, and everyone's hand against him." — Genesis 16:12

Godly character cannot flourish indefinitely under ungodly influence. Those who desire a healthy conscience must carefully choose their companions.

2. Environment and Upbringing

"Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord." — 2 Corinthians 6:17

"Now the LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country... to the land that I will show you.'" — Genesis 12:1

The environment in which the conscience develops matters greatly.

Whenever God intended to use someone for a special purpose, He often began with separation. Abraham had to leave his former surroundings before entering God's covenant purposes. Environment either reinforces righteousness or normalises sin.

Many evil intentions lose their strength in a godly environment where righteousness is honoured. Likewise, good intentions can gradually die where evil is celebrated and truth is rejected (Isaiah 5:20).

Demas illustrates this principle. Paul wrote: "For Demas, because he loved this present world, has deserted me." — 2 Timothy 4:10

Demas did not merely leave Paul; he embraced an environment that nourished worldly desires and weakened his devotion to Christ.

3. Heritage

Family heritage also leaves a deep impression upon the conscience. Throughout Scripture, certain families became known either for faithfulness or for persistent rebellion.

The household of Herod repeatedly opposed God's purposes. Likewise, many pagan nations surrounding Israel passed down generations of idolatry and hostility toward God's covenant people.

Yet Scripture also reminds us that heritage is not destiny. Through Christ, anyone can become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Godly heritage is a blessing, but saving faith must become personal.

4. Teaching

Teaching is perhaps one of the strongest influences on the conscience.

Our beliefs, values, and moral judgements are continually shaped by what we hear, learn, and repeatedly practise. Whether cultural, religious, educational, or philosophical, teachings mould the conscience.

The Samaritan woman expressed centuries of inherited prejudice when she asked Jesus:

"How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" — John 4:9

Her reaction reflected generations of cultural hostility rather than God's heart.

History repeatedly shows that people can be persuaded to commit terrible acts when their conscience has been trained by false teaching. Hatred, violence, oppression, theft, immorality, and even murder have often been justified by deeply rooted ideologies rather than by God's truth.

As a missionary, I have worked among people groups where men and women are forbidden to marry outside their tribe. The common belief is that no other tribe is as hardworking as theirs, and marrying outsiders would bring hardship. Although a few individuals question this tradition, many who do so face severe rejection from their families and communities. This illustrates how powerful cultural teaching can be in shaping the conscience.

Conclusion

From all these examples, it becomes clear that the conscience alone cannot be trusted as the final authority for a Christian. A sincere conscience is not necessarily a correct conscience. Saul of Tarsus persecuted Christians with a clear conscience until he encountered Christ (Acts 23:1; Philippians 3:6; Acts 9:1–6).

A conscience that is not continually renewed by the Word of God and governed by the Holy Spirit may justify what God condemns and condemn what God approves. Our ultimate standard is not our feelings, traditions, culture, or personal convictions, but the unchanging truth of God's Word (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17).

May we therefore pray daily as David did: "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." — Psalm 139:23–24

A liberated life begins with a transformed heart. Let us surrender every hidden motive, prejudice, bitterness, pride, and evil intention to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we allow His Word and His Spirit to continually purify our conscience, we become people who not only know the truth but also walk in it.

We shall continue in the next edition.

A CALL TO PRAYER PARTNERSHIP

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” — Matthew 18:19–20

The Church needs watchmen. The nations need intercessors. This is not the hour for spiritual slumber.

Will you join me in prayer for revival, holiness, missions, and the advancement of God’s kingdom?

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Peter Abdul-Razaq Olayinka

A Serving Missionary — Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara

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