Commending Truth to Every Man’s Conscience
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Text:1 Timothy 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 4:1-2
Introduction: “You cannot give away what you don’t possess!” To manifest Truth to others we must discern good and evil and then we must consistently choose good and refuse evil. In so doing we touch the hearts, mind, and conscience in others.
Point 1: What is a Good Conscience?
- The internal faculty that self- evaluates-chooses/refuses
- The Conscience-The internal mental and spiritual heart faculty that discerns and distinguishes between good and evil. If functioning properly, the conscience prompts good and refuses evil and commends good behavior and condemns evil conduct.
- The Good Conscience- to consistently and intentionally choose good behavior and to reject evil by being guided by a strong ethic or constitution. Heb. 5:11-14
Point 2: Commending Truth to Every Conscience
- We must introduce Jesus to others through His life…
- What is Truth?Jesus is the “Aletheia” of God. The true nature of God is revealed in His Creation, His Son, and in His Word! “The candor and sincerity of mind demonstrated in the integrity of character through a life live in harmony with divine truth.”
Jn. 14:7, 1 Jn. 5:6, Eph. 4:21
- What does, “by the manifestation of truth,” mean?
To put on display or put on exhibition. To publicly or outwardly make known. To render apparent, to manifestly declare in word and deed. 2 Corinthians 4:10 &11
- What does it mean, “commending ourselves?”
Literally means to set one with another! To commend someone means to make introduction or to introduce. As Christians, we are to introduce people to Christ Jesus through our Christ-like words and deeds.
- What does it mean, “to every man’s conscience?”
The conscience of another human being can be convicted by our Christ-like behavior. Our good conscience manifest in good behavior stirs the conscience in others. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17
Practical Applications:
What must we do to build our conscience into the conscience of Jesus Christ?
Why is our life example more important and why must it come before our words about God?
What are some other Scriptures that would teach us that Truth is defined by the life and words of Christ?
What does the phrase, “to every man’s conscience” tell us about the conscience of all men and our ability and responsibility to intentionally impact it for Christ?
Points for Prayer:
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