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Chapter 1 A Consecrated Life - Far Eastern Bible College

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II. Renew Your Mind and Conscience<br />

With God’s Word<br />

Romans 2:14–15 teaches that conscience or moral awareness is<br />

inborn:<br />

For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature<br />

the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a<br />

law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written<br />

in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their<br />

thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one<br />

another.<br />

Therefore everyone knows that there is right and wrong, though not<br />

all will agree on precisely what is right and wrong. Man’s conscience<br />

has been distorted by his sinful cultural environment and his state of<br />

separation from God, who is the source of moral light. Man’s<br />

conscience is therefore not trustworthy anymore. However, it can be<br />

renewed and be made increasingly reliable.<br />

When we were born again, our conscience was regenerated. 1<br />

Corinthians 2:14–16 says:<br />

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of<br />

God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know<br />

them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is<br />

spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.<br />

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct<br />

him? But we have the mind of Christ.<br />

If this regenerated mind or conscience is trained by the study of the<br />

Word of God, and becomes obedient and sensitive to the Holy Spirit, it<br />

will become increasingly reliable. Hebrews 5:14 says, “But strong meat<br />

belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use<br />

have their senses [conscience] exercised to discern both good and evil.”<br />

Let us train our conscience to evaluate any questionable practice we<br />

are faced with, by using principles from Holy Scripture. The renewing<br />

of our regenerated minds and consciences to discern good and evil<br />

comes from studying the written, revealed will of God in the <strong>Bible</strong>. In<br />

Scripture, God reveals His will through instruction in right thinking and<br />

A Transformed <strong>Life</strong><br />

67

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