All too often the conscience is treated, by most, as a negative thing to be extinguished and deadened; however our look into the biblical aspect of this particular grace shows something else. Once again considering the fleshly metrics and versification, the conscience is a troubling thing to be denied and ignored. So what do we know about the conscience?

The psyche of man receives input from his conscience based on his paradigm for his ultimate desire, fear, Love and his perceived purpose.

The purpose of the conscience is to return one to the best course for his spirit and the right relationship with the assigner of his purpose.

The assigner of our purpose comes from our inherent even intrinsic nature if supported by an external nurturer; however Adam and Eve were assigned their purpose by our Heavenly Father. This being the case we find a few questions that must be asked:

Why didn’t the conscience bring Adam and Eve to repent and run to God for restoration to their purpose? Note: Adam and Eve only knew to do well in the beginning so they had no need of the Spirit’s function to trouble the conscience to make a choice to return. Here the Holy Spirit is involved in the equation and so also is He today.

After their sin, Adam and Eve had a conscience of guilt causing them to hide from God’s presence. Taking into account that The Holy Spirit was not yet given; the two did not have His help to repent and return to their former positions. Adam and Eve returning to their condition and positions could have eaten from the Tree of Life and lived forever without a Saviour.

2 Cor. 7:10

     For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Also notice 1 Sam.24:5

     “And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.” And again:

2Sam.24:10

     “And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and now, I beseech thee, O LORD; take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I have done very foolishly.”However most think of the conscience only as that which is set forth in John 8:9, where there is acceptance of guilt yet no penitence, no return to make it right with God.

“And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”

Our hearts can condemn us or give the Spirit something to testify for us:

1 John 3:20-21

     “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemns us not, then have we confidence toward God.”

Rom 8:16

     “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

Rom 6:21

     “What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

Rom. 14:23

     “And he that doubteth is damned if he eats, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

A healthy conscience is one that is operating within the parameters set by our Heavenly Father. To help us course correct when we go astray from His teachings, the Holy Spirit brings to mind our Father’s will; This is done so as to assist us in reaching our desire, that is to live eternity in the presence of our God. If we alter the parameters of the conscience then we have something less than Heaven to live for.