The Conscience & God's Word

Introduction to the Conscience

Function

According to the Greek definition, the word "conscience" is defined as co-perception and gives the example of moral consciousness. Every person has their own conscience.

• Strong’s Greek 3868 - παραιτέομαι paraitěǒmai; from 3844 and the middle voice of 154; to beg off, i.e. deprecate, decline, shun

John 8:9 KJV - "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

Romans 9:1 KJV - "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,"

The conscience brings to memory the moral standards a person perceives as true; thus a co-perception and a witness of one's moral character. The conscience's response is referred to as the answering of the conscience. 

Answer of Agreeance

When someone perceives something is right or good, their conscience, or co-perception, answers in agreeance.

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (agathos): " συνείδησις, a peaceful conscience, i.q. consciousness of rectitude"

1 Peter 3:21 KJV - "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

(good: G18; agathos)

Answer of Disagreement

When someone perceives an action as wrong or harmful, their conscience, or co-perception, disagrees with the action and answers with a sensation of warning or conviction.

The definition for "convicted" in John 8:9 is to confute, admonish.

• Strong's Greek 1651 - ἐλέγχω ělěnchō; of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish:—convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove."

John 8:9 KJV - "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

(convicted: G1651)

Convictions then stir up emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, remorse, pride, etc.

Purpose

The purpose of the conscience is to protect oneself from destruction, wrath, and ultimately death.

Ruling the Conscience

The conscience is subject to knowledge and is governed by a person’s thoughts and will; thus the conscience is trainable and persuadable, and answers according to relativity.

Relativity

Since the conscience is subject to knowledge, it is naturally guided by relativity; that is, whatever is true at the time is true.

• Truly believing that something is morally good, when it is not, persuades the conscience to hold its peace. ​​

  • without conviction there is no change in behavior or thought.

Malachi 2:17 KJV - "Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?"

• Truly believing that something is morally wrong, when it is not, persuades the conscience to answer with conviction.​​

  • When directed at self or someone else, it is falsely "accusing".

  • A person who is falsely accused will not be convicted by their conscience.​​

    • The Greek word for "convinceth" in John 8:46 is "convicted' in John 8:9

1 Peter 3:16 KJV - "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ."

John 8:46 KJV - "Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?"

(convinceth: G1651)

• Suppressing conviction from one's own conscience forces the conscience to hold its peace.

  • Whether defiantly (open resistance, bold disobedience) or through sophistry (false, deceptive, justifying, arguments) a person's thoughts and willpower reject the witness of the conscience.

  • When directed at self or someone else, it is "excusing".

  • There are people, whose thoughts will accuse or excuse one another, though knowing God's law and having a conscience that bears witness against them.

Luke 10:28-29 KJV - "28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?"

James 1:22 KJV - "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Romans 2:15 KJV - "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;)"

Trainability

• Knowledge of moral right and wrong must be learned.

• Increasing knowledge increases the conscience's response.​​​​

  • The more a person perceives something to be morally wrong, the more expressive their conscience will be.

• Since knowledge is learned, false moral standards are capable of being learned and accepted as truth.

• Knowledge of absolute truth leaves a person without excuse for indulging in what is morally wrong; regardless if they choose to believe or accept otherwise.  ​​​​

• Each person has the ability to refuse to learn or accept new knowledge, whether truthful or deceptive, which would alter their moral character and response of their conscience. 

Romans 7:18 KJV - "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not."

Isaiah 1:17 KJV - "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

Jeremiah 10:2 KJV - "Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them."

Romans 1:20 KJV - "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

1 Timothy 4:7 KJV - "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."

Persuadably

• Instruction and chastisement are used to persuade a person's thoughts of moral right and wrong.

• When someone unlearned commits morally wrong deeds, or someone learned rejects their own convictions, they are to be corrected and convinced of moral truth.

  • The word "reproved" in Luke 3:19, "convinced" in 1 Corinthians 14:24, and "rebuke" in 1 Timothy 5:20 share the same Greek word as "convicted" in John 8:9  ​​​​

Luke 3:19 KJV - "But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,"

1 Corinthians 14:24 KJV - "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:"

1 Timothy 5:20 KJV - "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

John 8:9 KJV - "And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."

(reproved, convinced, and rebuke: G1651)

Innate Conscience vs. Truth

• Scripture declares that all mankind innately believe that they are morally good and right.

• Scripture declares that right understanding of moral right and wrong comes from the absolute truth of God's word.

• Scripture declares that when mankind commits to serving God, their thoughts will be established. (The conscience will then be rightly guided.)

  • A person must continually train their conscience to be guided by God's moral standards; so as to avoid causing an offence. ​

Proverbs 21:2 KJV - "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts."

Psalm 119:169 KJV - "TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word." (See also Psalm 119:73)

Proverbs 16:3 KJV - "Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established."

Acts 24:16 KJV - "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."

Conditions of the Conscience

The conscience goes through processes of transition and be found in a variety of conditions.

Evil

• The conscience can be in an evil condition.

• An evil conscience is in those who follow ways of destruction and take pleasure in sin.

• A conscience of someone who hates correction and responds with rebelliousness or resistance. 

Hebrews 10:22 KJV - "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water."

2 Peter 2:2 KJV - "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."

Romans 1:32 KJV - "Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them."

Proverbs 15:10 KJV - "Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die."

Purging, Purged

• The conscience can be in the process of purging, or as having been purged.

• The blood of Jesus purges the conscience; thus dissolving the guiltiness of sins the conscience retains in memory.

Hebrews 9:9, 14 KJV - "9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; ... 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"

Hebrews 10:2 KJV - "For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins."

Pure, Good

• The conscience can be in good and pure condition.

  • Thayer's Greek Lexicon (katharos): "ethically; free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt...free from every admixture of what is false, sincere"

1 Timothy 3:9 KJV - "Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience."

2 Timothy 1:3 KJV - "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;"

(pure: G2513; katharos)

• Someone who has a good conscience sincerely desires to do right and exercises obedience in what they have learned of God's moral truth.

  • Thayer's Greek Lexicon (agathos): " συνείδησις, a peaceful conscience, i.q. consciousness of rectitude"

  • Thayer's Greek Lexicon (kalos): " beautiful by reason of purity of heart and life, and hence praiseworthy; morally good, noble... consciousness of good deeds"

Acts 23:1 KJV - "And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day."

1 Timothy 1:5 KJV - "Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:"

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV - "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:"  (See also 1 Peter 3:16, 21) 

(good: G18; agathos)

Hebrews 13:18 KJV - "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly."

Hebrews 5:14 KJV - "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

(good: G2570; kalos)

• A good and pure conscience is able to discern both good and evil, takes no pleasure in sin, and renounces evil. 

• ​A good and pure conscience appreciates correction and does not respond with rebellion or resistance to correction. 

2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV - "But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God."

Proverbs 9:8 KJV - "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee."

Proverbs 17:10 KJV - "A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool."

Seared & Defiled

• The conscience can be in the process of and condition of being seared and defiled. (through deception)

  • Strong's Greek 2743 - καυτηριάζω kautēriazō; from a derivative of 2545; to brand ("cauterize"), i.e. (by implication) to render unsensitive (figuratively)

1 Timothy 4:2 KJV - "Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;"

(seared with a hot iron: G2743)

James 1:22-24 KJV - "22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was."

• Someone who permits and justifies what they know to be wrong has seared their conscience. (It is also hypocrisy)

  • Strong's Greek 4942 - συνυποκρίνομαι sunupŏkrínŏmai; from 4862 and 5271; to act hypocritically in concert with

  • Strong's Greek 5272 - ὑπόκρισις hupŏkrisis; from 5271; acting under a feigned part, i.e. (figuratively) deceit ("hypocrisy")

Luke 16:15 KJV - "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God."

(dissembled: G4942; dissimulation: G5272)

Galatians 2:13 KJV - "And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation."

Matthew 23:28 KJV - "Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity."

(See also Mark 12:15, Luke 12:1, James 5:12, 1 Peter 2:1)

(hypocrisy: G5272)

• Falling away from God's moral standards renders the conscience defiled. (damaging purity and integrity)

  • Strong's Greek 3392 - μιαίνω miaínō; perhaps a primary verb; to sully or taint, i.e. contaminate (ceremonially or morally)

Titus 1:15 KJV - "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." (See also 1 Corinthians 8:7)

Hebrews 12:15 KJV - "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;"

(defiled: G3392)

• A good conscience that turns away from truth undergoes the process of searing and becomes defiled.

  • Strong's Greek 868 - ἀφίστημι aphístēmi; from 575 and 2476; to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.

Luke 8:13 KJV - "They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away."

(fall away: G868)

Hebrews 3:12 KJV - "Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God."

1 Timothy 1:19 KJV - "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:"

Weak

• The conscience can be in a weak condition.

  • Thayer's Greek Lexicon (asthenēs): "wanting in decision about things lawful and unlawful".

  • A weak conscience lacks moral knowledge in a matter: sinning wounds a weak conscience.

1 Corinthians 8:7, 10, 12 KJV - "7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. ... 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat 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; ... 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ."

(weak: G772; asthenēs)

The conscience is, at best, only "reliable" when it answers truthfully according to the knowledge of God's moral standards.

Awareness of Another's Conscience

Someone who has a greater exercised conscience must recognize and be sensitive to another's weak conscience. The scriptural reference below uses eating meat as an example.

1 Corinthians 8:7-13 KJV - "7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat 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; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

This scenario specifically takes place in the setting of an idols temple. If someone who knows that eating meat offered up to an idol is not a sin, though they themselves do not worship the idol, and that causes a participant, who is unknowing, to eat the meat in the temple with worship of the idol, the one who did not know offends God and the one with knowledge is guilty (inadvertently) of sinning against that person and against Christ.

This biblical principle is to be applied in all situations. 

The next scenario specifically takes place in a person's private home. 

1 Corinthians 10:25-31 KJV - "25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."

If the person makes mention that the meat was offered in sacrifice to idols, in order to avoid wounding another's weak conscience, the knowledgeable one must refrain from eating; not that it is wrong to eat meat sacrificed to an idol, but that it could cause someone else to think it's ok to worship idols.

This biblical principle is to be applied in all situations. ​

1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV - "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Romans 13:1-2, 15 KJV - "1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ... 15 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake."

Deliberately causing someone to offend has severe consequences.

The word offence in Matthew 18:6 is defined as:

• Strong's Greek 4624 - σκανδαλίζω skandalízō ("scandalize"); from 4625; to entrap, i.e. trip up (figuratively, stumble [transitively] or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure)

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (skandalizō): "properly, to put a stumbling-block or impediment in the way, upon which another may trip and fall; to be a stumbling-block; in the N.T. always metaphorically [R.V. to cause or make to stumble; A.V. to offend (cause to offend)]; a. to entice to sin"

Matthew 18:6-7 KJV - "6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!" (See also Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2)

The Conscience & Idolatry

Following

Believing and following one's own thoughts, logic, or conscience, mixed with or in lieu of God's written word, is the rejection of God's word. It is stubbornness and the same as idolatry.

• Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon (pâtsar): "to be obtuse, dull, stubborn…as noun, stubbornness, willfulness, 1 Sam. 15, 23,"

1 Samuel 15:23 KJV - "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

(stubbornness: H6484; pâtsar)

Teaching - Sacrifices unto God

Bishops and teachers are called to feed the flock, which is the church of God, with milk and meat, which is the word of God. 

Acts 20:28 KJV - "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."

(See also John 21:15-17, 1 Peter 5:2)

1 Peter 2:2-3 KJV - "2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious."

Hebrews 5:12-14 KJV - "12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Hebrews 6:5 KJV - "And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,"

Preaching, prophesying, teaching, singing, etc. are all forms of spiritual sacrifice to God.

The word sacrifice(s) in Hebrews 13:15-16 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (thysia): "a free gift, which is likened to an offered sacrifice,... (… i. e. with such things as substitutes for sacrifices God is well pleased)"

Hebrews 13:15-16 KJV - "15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

(sacrifice(s): G2378; thysia)

Proclaiming to God's people the word of truth and teaching them to be faithful to the word of God is as feeding them meat that is sacrificed unto God.

Teaching - Sacrifices unto Idols

Physically eating meat that has been sacrificed to idols is not a sin when eaten in worship to God (View 1 Corinthians 8:8, 10:25-26, 30). In contrast, teaching and leading God's people away from truth; to follow after doctrine contrary to God's word, is as feeding them meat that is sacrificed unto idols without worship to God. 

1 Corinthians 8:8 KJV - "But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse."

1 Corinthians 10:25-26, 30 KJV - "25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. ... 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?"

The word seduce in Revelation 2:20 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (planaō): "metaphorically, to lead away from the truth, to lead into error, to deceive"

  
  

The word seducing in 1 Timothy 4:1 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (planos): "wandering, roving; transitively and tropically, misleading, leading into error"

The word subvert in Titus 1:11 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (anatrepō): "to overthrow, overturn, destroy ... ethically, to subvert

Revelation 2:20 KJV - "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols."

(seduce: planaō)

1 Timothy 4:1 KJV - "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;"

(seducing: planos)

Titus 1:11 KJV - "Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake."

(subvert: anatrepō)

The Conscience as a Tool

The conscience is a helpful tool for someone who is knowledgeable in the word of God; who is able to discern morally right and wrong. However, it is not to be followed as a god that gives guidance to moral standards.

God's Voice over the Conscience

Scripture does not support the worldly philosophies, "follow your conscience" and "let your conscience be your guide"; rather God's word teaches his people to hear the LORD's voice, to follow the LORD, to apply their heart to his knowledge, to learn his instruction, and to let his Spirit and counsel guide them.

Hosea 6:3 KJV - "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth."

John 10:27 KJV - "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:"

John 12:26 KJV - "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."

Proverbs 22:17 KJV - "Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge."

Psalm 73:24 KJV - "Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."

John 16:13 KJV - "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

Proverbs 19:27 KJV - "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge."

Judgment of the Conscience

A day is coming when God will judge the secrets of the heart; the conscience will also bear witness.

Romans 2:15-16 KJV - "15 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;) 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel."

1 Corinthians 4:5 KJV - "Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."

God's people can rejoice when their conscience gives a good testimony of their moral character and conduct.

The word conversation in 2 Corinthians 1:12 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (G390): "to walk, of the manner of life and moral character, to conduct oneself, behave oneself, live"

2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV - "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

(Strong's G390: conversation)

God's people who endure grief and suffering wrongfully will have a conscience found worthy of thanks.

1 Peter 2:19 KJV - "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully."

Those found with an evil conscience will have a repercussion to fear.

Isaiah 5:20-21 KJV - "20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

While stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (View 1 Samuel 15:23), a professing child of God who leads people away from God's word (idolatry) will be punished and suffer loss.

1 Samuel 15:23 KJV - "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

The word adultery in Revelation 2:22 is defined as:

• Thayer's Greek Lexicon (moicheuō): "is used of those who at a woman's solicitation are drawn away to idolatry, i. e. to the eating of things sacrificed to idols"

Revelation 2:22 KJV - "Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds."

(Strong's G3431: adultery)

Proverbs 28:10 KJV - "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession."

Matthew 5:19 KJV - "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."