Conscience vs Holy Spirit

[Bob Estey]

Hello all. So my dad is concerned about whether or not he is saved. So he originally thought your conscience was the same as the Holy Spirit. I told him no, they arent. So i digged into him some more about why he was so concerned about it. He is trying to use this as assurance. So how would you describe the differences between the two?

"Conscience" is a word man has made up, I believe, but I think it another word for "Holy Spirit."

 

[amadeus]

"Conscience" is a word man has made up, I believe, but I think it another word for "Holy Spirit."

Through his conscience a man may choose between the 'good' or 'evil' from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The result of either choice is death, is it not?

Through the Holy Spirit, a man may choose to be direct by God or by his own ways. This is a real choice between Life and death, is it not?

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov 3:5-6

 

[Bob Estey]

Through his conscience a man may choose between the 'good' or 'evil' from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The result of either choice is death, is it not?

Through the Holy Spirit, a man may choose to be direct by God or by his own ways. This is a real choice between Life and death, is it not?

"O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Jerem 10:23

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Prov 3:5-6

Okay, so the word "conscience" is in the Bible. I still think "conscience" is the Holy Spirit exerting its influence on us.

 

[amadeus]

Okay, so the word "conscience" is in the Bible. I still think "conscience" is the Holy Spirit exerting its influence on us.

All men have a conscience, although some have certainly seared their consciences in favor of what they want or desire rather than in favor of what they need. A tiny baby cries for needs until he learns that his crying may also be a means to get what he does not need although he certainly wants it. When does the baby ever go back to crying only for his needs?

Why does Jesus speak of being converted, becoming as a little child to enter into the kingdom of heaven? [See Matt 18:3]

What does it take to do that?

"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

The Holy Spirit is what brings a man again to Life, the Life that Adam and Eve lost. The Holy Spirit is the means to being born again... to seeing and entering the kingdom.

"Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God;
Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." II Cor 3:5-6

 

[Pearl]

"Conscience" is a word man has made up, I believe, but I think it another word for "Holy Spirit."

I think your conscience is how you know good from bad naturally because of Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden tree. But the Holy Spirit is Supernatural.

 

[Raccoon1010]

Hello all. So my dad is concerned about whether or not he is saved. So he originally thought your conscience was the same as the Holy Spirit. I told him no, they arent. So i digged into him some more about why he was so concerned about it. He is trying to use this as assurance. So how would you describe the differences between the two?

The Holy Spirit compels us to do good. And it fills us with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)

 

[Raccoon1010]

I feel like we cant go by our conscience. I know i cant, and i dont think my dad can either. I keep coming back to the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians. I think a good example of this is my ability to take pain pills everyday and even though i know i shouldnt, i rationalize that its ok to do it and that im not hurting anyone else.
The good fruit of the Spirit says dont take them, but i’ve done it for so long, my conscience doesnt even register it as bad.

Pain killers are difficult to get off of. I know I had to do it. But I live a peaceful life now. Hope you have success there, I pray. You could talk to your doctor about Suboxone. And try to come off of them peacefully.

 

[Bob Estey]

I think your conscience is how you know good from bad naturally because of Adam and Eve eating from the forbidden tree. But the Holy Spirit is Supernatural.

I don't know - I think the Lord likes to bring our faults to our attention, for our own good. Amadeus showed me I was wrong about "conscience" not being in the Bible. I suppose I'll be taken out and beaten for my mistake.

 

[Pearl]

I don't know - I think the Lord likes to bring our faults to our attention, for our own good. Amadeus showed me I was wrong about "conscience" not being in the Bible. I suppose I'll be taken out and beaten for my mistake.

Exactly! God uses the Holy Spirit to "bring our faults to our attention" but that doesn't start until we are born again.

 

[Bob Estey]

Exactly! God uses the Holy Spirit to "bring our faults to our attention" but that doesn't start until we are born again.

I don't know about that, either - I think the Lord was talking to me before I got to know him.

 

[Pearl]

I don't know about that, either - I think the Lord was talking to me before I got to know him.

How did you get to know Him?

 

[Bob Estey]

How did you get to know Him?

Interesting question. I remember an experience when I was 20 when he seemed to be "introducing" himself to me, but now that you bring it up, I'm wondering if I wasn't already beginning to get to know him. I have forgotten the sequence of events. Some of it is rather personal.

 

[Pearl]

Interesting question. I remember an experience when I was 20 when he seemed to be "introducing" himself to me, but now that you bring it up, I'm wondering if I wasn't already beginning to get to know him. I have forgotten the sequence of events. Some of it is rather personal.

I found him - or rather responded to him - in December 1977. And He changed my life. I am a better person because of Him and I have great joy and peace because of Him. I am made new because of Him. Only He can change us from the inside.

 

[Bob Estey]

I found him - or rather responded to him - in December 1977. And He changed my life. I am a better person because of Him and I have great joy and peace because of Him. I am made new because of Him. Only He can change us from the inside.

This began for me in 1973. The first few years were painful as my shortcomings were so obvious. In the late eighties he led me to repent of sin I was committing and my life was transformed. I keep thinking life is going to get easy, but it hasn't, yet.

 

[Pearl]

This began for me in 1973. The first few years were painful as my shortcomings were so obvious. In the late eighties he led me to repent of sin I was committing and my life was transformed. I keep thinking life is going to get easy, but it hasn't, yet.

I have found that the more mature you become the more shortcomings you see in yourself. And, you know, he never promised us easy.

 

[Bob Estey]

I have found that the more mature you become the more shortcomings you see in yourself. And, you know, he never promised us easy.

No, but he did say this:

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:30 RSV

 

[bbyrd009]

Okay, so the word "conscience" is in the Bible.

where? ty

 

[Pearl]

where? ty

1 Timothy 4:2
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

 

[Bob Estey]

where? ty

From the Revised Standard Version:

1Sam.25

1. [31] my lord shall have no cause of grief, or pangs of conscience, for having shed blood without cause or for my lord taking vengeance himself. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid."

Wis.17

1. [11] For wickedness is a cowardly thing, condemned
   by its own testimony;
   distressed by conscience, it has always exaggerated
   the difficulties.

Acts.23

1. [1] And Paul, looking intently at the council, said, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day."

Acts.24

1. [16] So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.

Rom.2

1. [15] They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them

Rom.9

1. [1] I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit,

Rom.13

1. [5] Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

1Cor.8

1. [7] However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
2. [10] For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
3. [12] Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

1Cor.10

1. [25] Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
2. [27] If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
3. [28] (But if some one says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience' sake --
4. [29] I mean his conscience, not yours -- do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples?

2Cor.1

1. [12] For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the world, and still more toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.

2Cor.4

1. [2] We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Cor.5

1. [11] Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

1Tim.1

1. [5] whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.
2. [19] holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith,

1Tim.3

1. [9] they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

1Tim.4

1. [2] through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared,

2Tim.1

1. [3] I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers.

Tit.1

1. [15] To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.

Heb.9

1. [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
2. [14] how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Heb.10

1. [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb.13

1. [18] Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

1Pet.3

1. [16] and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
2. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

 

[Pearl]

From the Revised Standard Version:

1Sam.25

1. [31] my lord shall have no cause of grief, or pangs of conscience, for having shed blood without cause or for my lord taking vengeance himself. And when the LORD has dealt well with my lord, then remember your handmaid."

Wis.17

1. [11] For wickedness is a cowardly thing, condemned
   by its own testimony;
   distressed by conscience, it has always exaggerated
   the difficulties.

Acts.23

1. [1] And Paul, looking intently at the council, said, "Brethren, I have lived before God in all good conscience up to this day."

Acts.24

1. [16] So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.

Rom.2

1. [15] They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them

Rom.9

1. [1] I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit,

Rom.13

1. [5] Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

1Cor.8

1. [7] However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
2. [10] For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?
3. [12] Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

1Cor.10

1. [25] Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
2. [27] If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.
3. [28] (But if some one says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience' sake --
4. [29] I mean his conscience, not yours -- do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man's scruples?

2Cor.1

1. [12] For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the world, and still more toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God.

2Cor.4

1. [2] We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.

2Cor.5

1. [11] Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.

1Tim.1

1. [5] whereas the aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith.
2. [19] holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting conscience, certain persons have made shipwreck of their faith,

1Tim.3

1. [9] they must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

1Tim.4

1. [2] through the pretensions of liars whose consciences are seared,

2Tim.1

1. [3] I thank God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as did my fathers, when I remember you constantly in my prayers.

Tit.1

1. [15] To the pure all things are pure, but to the corrupt and unbelieving nothing is pure; their very minds and consciences are corrupted.

Heb.9

1. [9] (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper,
2. [14] how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

Heb.10

1. [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Heb.13

1. [18] Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things.

1Pet.3

1. [16] and keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are abused, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
2. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Wow that's a lot. My search only brought up the one.