Can You Trust Your Conscience?

There are certain things we all know that we aren’t supposed to do. They’re black and white. For instance, we know that we are not supposed to lie or steal. These are obvious things.

But then we come to those gray areas of life. We wonder, “Is this all right for me to do?” That’s when we need to ask ourselves four questions: Does it build me up spiritually? Does it bring me under its power? Do I have an uneasy conscience about it? Could it cause someone to stumble?

In 1 Corinthians 6:12 Paul says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any” (NKJV).

Someone might say they have the freedom to do a certain thing as a Christian. The problem is that our consciences can lead us astray at times.

The Bible says that “whatever is not from faith is sin” (Romans 14:23 NKJV). The Message puts it this way: “If the way you live isn’t consistent with what you believe, then it’s wrong.”

For example, some people can listen to certain kinds of music, and it doesn’t affect them that much. Others listen to it, and it triggers a lot of stuff they don’t want triggered. Some can go to a certain kind of movie, while others don’t feel right about going to that kind of movie.

The real issue is whether it could drag you down spiritually. Could it cause another Christian to stumble? Some people are weaker than others in some areas. Why allow a potential area of compromise in your life? Why open yourself up to some other kind of influence?

I don’t want to be under the power of anyone or anything except Jesus Christ.