4:1-2 What is conscience?

Conscience is a human faculty which decides the morality of a person's actions and either approves or condemns them (CP Jn 8:9). Many Christians believe that conscience is the voice of God within them, but scriptures do not teach that. Scriptures teach that the standards for morality are set by God, who holds everyone responsible for their actions because they all have a revelation of His moral law as their standard for right living (CP Ro 1:18-20 with 2:14-15).

But it is Christ, not conscience, who is the final standard by which everyone will be judged (CP Ro 2:16 with 1Cor 4:4). Although a pure conscience is valuable it cannot vindicate anyone before God, which is what Paul teaches in 1Cor 4:4: even though Paul was sure his conscience was clear of all offence before God, it could not save him - only Christ could (CP He 9:14; 10:2-10, 18-22).

Conscience cannot be equated with the voice of God because it is possible for conscience to excuse something that God will not excuse, or condemn something which God allows (CP Ro 14:5, 21-22; 1Cor 10:28-32; 1Jn 3:18-21).