Conscience
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These words have a first and second sense, a literal and a figurative
meaning. They are full of truth in regard to the bodily eye, with which
we see external objects. And they are true also in regard to the spiritual
eye, the conscience, with which we estimate good and evil. If the eye
of the soul, the conscience, is perfectly healthy, the soul will be taught
aright.
But when the conscience is guided by human perceptions, which
are not subdued and softened by the grace of Christ, the mind is in a
diseased condition. Things are not seen in their true bearings. The
imagination is wrought upon, and the eye of the mind sees things in a
false, distorted light.
You need clear, sympathetic eyesight. Your conscience has been
abused, and has become hardened, but if you will follow the right
course, renewed sensitiveness will come to it.—
Letter 45, 1904
.
When We Can Trust the Conscience—But one says, “My con-
science does not condemn me in not keeping the commandments of
God.” But in the Word of God we read that there are good and bad con-
sciences, and the fact that your conscience does not condemn you in
not keeping the law of God does not prove that you are uncondemned
in His sight.
Take your conscience to the Word of God and see if your life and
character are in accordance with the standard of righteousness which
God has there revealed. You can then determine whether or not you
have an intelligent faith and what manner of conscience is yours. The
conscience of man cannot be trusted unless it is under the influence of
divine grace. Satan takes advantage of an unenlightened conscience,
and thereby leads men into all manner of delusions, because they have
not made the Word of God their counselor. Many have invented a
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gospel of their own in the same manner as they have substituted a law
of their own for God’s law.—
The Review and Herald, September 3,
1901
.
God’s Word the Standard—It is not enough for a man to think
himself safe in following the dictates of his conscience.... The ques-
tion to be settled is, Is the conscience in harmony with the Word of
God? If not, it cannot safely be followed, for it will deceive. The
conscience must be enlightened by God. Time must be given to a
study of the Scriptures and to prayer. Thus the mind will be stablished,
strengthened, and settled.—
Letter 21, 1901
. (HC 143.)