In the moral sense conscience is the capacity of our mental physique by which we irresistibly feel the difference between right and wrong. The word conscience does not appear in the O.T.  But the idea of a conscience frequently appears.

We can first read about this in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve hide from God,

Gen.3:8,  "They heard the voice (sound) of the LORD God walking in the garden -- and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." 

In the N.T. Mat.26:69 -- 75.  Peter had just denied knowing the Lord Jesus three time.  Ver.75, After he heard the cock crow three time,  "Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him,  "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice, and he went out, and wept bitterly."

Concerning Judas in his betrayal of Jesus to the Pharisees.

Matt.27:3-4,  "Then Judas, which had betrayed Him (Jesus,) when he saw that he (Jesus) was condemned, repented (felt remorse) himself, and brought again the thirty pieces to the chief priests and elders. Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood."

Conscience can imply a double or joint knowledge, namely one of a Supreme law or rule of God, and the other of a man's own actions.  In ancient religions and philosophy, conscience rarely appears in its modern day understanding,  concerning a moral sense when applied to any individuals conduct.   Also it was never thought of as having any religious connection.

Mans' conscience is God's way of giving us a way to arbitrate.  At times we may feel a form of violence and disorder, this when we choose to disobey and do our own will, as opposed to God's will.

In a moral person, their conscience will directs their actions and inclinations according to the will of God, as opposed to a bad conscience which usually is bent on the ways of this world.  The existence of a conscience within us is evidence of the righteousness of God.  This righteousness is immovable amid all the disorder and evil to which the human nature of man is exposed and capable of doing.

We can compare the conscience of men to a regulator in a watch. The regulator points to a watch maker.  Its function is to have the movements of the watch harmonize with time.  So conscience shows the design of our Creator, and that all our movements should harmonize with God's virtues and truths.

The word conscience can be found in in Acts, Hebrews and 1 Peter.   There is no well defined doctrine concerning our conscience, nor is there any description of it.

The law of God is the only rule that binds the conscience.  God's will should be the only and final authority over mans conscience.  Our obligation is to natural or common principles.  These principles will instruct us in our duties to the Lord, and also to civil law.

Throughout the world, it is evident that distinctions can be made between a just and unjust society.   For the most part the individuals in that society have a proper sense of duty, opposed to criminal activities.

Rom.2:14-15,  "For the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 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 one another."

Paul in the above, declares that both Jew and Gentile are responsible for their actions before God.  All men have a revelation of God's moral law as a standard for right and wrong.

The Jews have the law of Moses. The Gentiles have the law written on their hearts. Concerning sinners, who live disobedience, know and understand that they should obey and listen to their conscience, but do not.   In,

1 Cor.8:10,  "If any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat (eating) in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols."

1 Cor.10:27,  "If any of them that believe not bid you to feast, and ye be disposed to go:  whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake." 

A good conscience will decide correctly according to the law of God.  This is a godly person who has a proper understanding of God's laws, they making decisions based upon the principles of Biblical truths.

A foolish man's conscience may understand certain truths, even declaring them right. Yet without any solid ground to build on, he may decide by choice not to declare, nor to obey them.

A conscience that is opposed to God will make incorrect decisions, confusing good and evil, thus evil in now good, and good is now evil.

A wavering conscience will base its decisions upon equal or nearly equal probabilities which appear to be for, or against both sides of a question.

An evil conscience is one that has lost sight of the distinction between moral good and evil.  This is a polluted conscience.  It lives by false testimony concerning past actions, When reflecting upon wickedness, a bad conscience feels no pain when making wrong decisions.  In this they are,

1 Tim.4:2,  "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron."

Lastly there is the conscience that remains quite during the commission of sin.  The author of Hebrews stresses the need for having a good conscience, one who's decisions are based on God's two most important commandments which are, 

To love God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to love your neighbor as thyself.  We are to watch over our soul, and the souls of other, this is of the utmost importance.  Christians' must maintain a righteous and proper reflection on their past, present and future actions, and be of a good and godly conscience.

Phillip LaSpino