When to Let Your Conscience be Your Guide

One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living” (Romans 14:5-9).

“Let your conscience be your guide” is a Biblical sentiment when discussing matters of opinion. However, it is not when determining the truth on matters of doctrine. Violating your conscience in the area of Christian liberty may please another human; it does not please God.

Regardless of whether the matter of conscience is something like the observance of days and holidays or the foods found in your diet, let your conscience be your guide. As long as you are fully convinced in your own mind about the matter, you have the liberty of conscience to esteem one day above another or to esteem every day alike. If the compelling reason for your choice is that it most consistently expresses your intense desire to please your Lord, then do it.

As long as you are fully convinced in your own mind about the matter, you have the lib­erty of conscience to eat as much or as little meat as you want. Let your conscience (and on some occasions, the conscience of others—1 Corinthians 10:27-33) be your guide.

As a Christian, your first responsibility in matters of conscience is to be true to your Lord by being true to yourself. Your life is to be lived for the sole purpose of pleasing your Lord. You are preeminently obligated to please Him. It is His lone opinion of you which will determine your eternal abode. He is Lord of both the dead and the living.

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Author: jchowning

1 thought on “When to Let Your Conscience be Your Guide

  1. Hi John, you just hit another nail right up on the head. I’m thankful to God for your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the word. May the Lord continually bless you and your family

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