Can You Trust Your Conscience?

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world. You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:1-4

The voice of our conscience is either that of God’s Holy Spirit, the deceiver, or our own. As Christians, it’s important for us to know who is doing the talking. One way to discern the source of our internal communication is by testing the message. Ask yourself, “Do the words of my conscience line up with the Word of God, or is the message confusing and condemning?”

When God speaks to us, He never uses words of hopelessness, defeat, disillusionment, fear, confusion, or failure. Instead, His message offers hope, victory, peace, power, joy, and love. The only time God speaks words of condemnation is when it is connected to sin. He hates sin and seeks to expose it. Satan, on the other hand, loves to ridicule, accuse, and confuse. His goal is to weaken and discourage the body of Christ. He is a guiltful talker and desires to chastise the saints of God.

The Holy Spirit never argues with you. His message is simple and direct. One way to know that your conscience is Spirit-controlled is by spending time alone with God. The more you know about Jesus and His love for you, the more familiar His voice will become.

“...we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5