“For this finds God’s favor, if because of conscience toward God someone endures hardships in suffering unjustly” (1 Peter 2:19).
1 Peter 2:19 directs our attention to the significant role of our consciences in our decision-making processes. You see, the word “conscience” can be defined as, “…that moral inner sense of what is appropriate or inappropriate…” (1) Much like an umpire, judge, or referee, the conscience functions as an arbitrator in distinguishing right from wrong. The main issue involves the “rule book” our consciences employ to govern our decisions.
When our decisions are not guided by a conscience that honors God, it is often difficult to distinguish between choices that seem right, but are really something else. For instance, it is possible for two individuals to act in good conscience while each pursues a different course of action. These concerns take on greater importance when we reflect upon the cautionary message given to us in the Biblical book of 1 Timothy…
“The Spirit says clearly that some people will abandon the faith in later times; they will obey lying spirits and follow the teachings of demons. Such teachings are spread by deceitful liars, whose consciences are dead, as if burnt with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1-2 GNT).
We can avoid that path if we begin with the recognition that Jesus identified the Scriptures as the Word of God (John 10:34-35) and the command of God (Matthew 15:3-4). He also stated that God’s Word is truth (John 17:17). These acknowledgements should thus inform our consciences based upon the authority of Christ. While our consciences are not infallible, they can serve as trustworthy guides if they are aligned with sound Biblical teaching.
Knowing this, we should prayerfully refrain from violating our consciences by knowingly doing wrong. Much like the calluses that develop on the hands of a hard-working laborer, our consciences may become hardened if we repeatedly ignore them. If we disengage our consciences in this manner, it becomes more difficult to resist the allure of unhealthy and self-destructive behaviors.
One of the more common methods of bypassing our consciences involves the process of rationalization. We can define “rationalization” as “a way of describing, interpreting, or explaining something (such as bad behavior) that makes it seem proper, more attractive, etc.” (2) This offers an attractive (but ultimately futile) way to justify Biblically inappropriate behaviors and alleviate feelings of guilt or remorse.
Therefore, we should seek to engage with God’s Word each day. While study aids and commentaries (including this one), have their place, only God’s Word can identify and counteract the justifications, excuses, and/or rationalizations we sometimes use to bypass our consciences.
(1) Dr. Bob Utley, 2 Corinthians 1 [1:12] http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL06/VOL06B_01.html Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International. All rights reserved.
(2) “Rationalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rationalization. Accessed 1 Mar. 2021.