CONSCIENCE
“Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:15). We were all born with a conscience, and when we sin it causes guilt, just as burning your hand on a hot stove will cause pain. This guilt of our conscience is designed by God to teach us not to do this again.
If one persists on hitting his finger with a hammer, he will eventually feel no pain at all but will be in danger of losing his finger. So with our conscience, it is possible to have a seared conscience and not feel guilt: “having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2; see also Titus 1:15 and Romans 1:28). Having a conscience is a sign that God still loves us and wants to forgive us.
The way to deal with guilt is to confess our sins to God, who gives forgiveness and cleansing (see FORGIVENESS). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). If our conscience bothers us, it is a sign that we need to get things right with God or with man, or both, by asking forgiveness and then we feel much better. Strive to have a “good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:5, 19). “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
The Bible is to be our guide, not our conscience. The Bible plainly tells us that we can deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:9, 15:33; Galatians 6:7).
CORRECTION OF CHILDREN
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Proverbs 19:18; see also 13:24, 22:15, 23:13, and Hebrews 12:7). There are those who teach that man is a product of his environment, and that if we just change his surroundings, he will be a good person. Though outside influence will always have some effect on our personality, it should not be used as an excuse to blame the government or parents or community, etc. Identical twins with the same surroundings often have totally different personalities. It is not our surroundings, but how we respond to our surroundings that makes the difference. The main problem has always been inside of us: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21–23). Correction of children is clearly taught in the Bible to change their attitudes (Proverbs 22:15).
I am not talking about beating your child or throwing him against the wall or on the floor or slugging or kicking, etc. But as a small child, spank his bottom and allow him to cry softly, but not screaming, which is him punishing you. Standing him in the corner also works well or having him sit on a chair and watch the clock for 15 minutes (which seems like an eternity to a small child), and when he or she is older, restriction also works well.
“Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another” (Romans 2:15). We were all born with a conscience, and when we sin it causes guilt, just as burning your hand on a hot stove will cause pain. This guilt of our conscience is designed by God to teach us not to do this again.
If one persists on hitting his finger with a hammer, he will eventually feel no pain at all but will be in danger of losing his finger. So with our conscience, it is possible to have a seared conscience and not feel guilt: “having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:2; see also Titus 1:15 and Romans 1:28). Having a conscience is a sign that God still loves us and wants to forgive us.
The way to deal with guilt is to confess our sins to God, who gives forgiveness and cleansing (see FORGIVENESS). “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8–9). If our conscience bothers us, it is a sign that we need to get things right with God or with man, or both, by asking forgiveness and then we feel much better. Strive to have a “good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:5, 19). “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).
The Bible is to be our guide, not our conscience. The Bible plainly tells us that we can deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:9, 15:33; Galatians 6:7).
CORRECTION OF CHILDREN
“Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Proverbs 19:18; see also 13:24, 22:15, 23:13, and Hebrews 12:7). There are those who teach that man is a product of his environment, and that if we just change his surroundings, he will be a good person. Though outside influence will always have some effect on our personality, it should not be used as an excuse to blame the government or parents or community, etc. Identical twins with the same surroundings often have totally different personalities. It is not our surroundings, but how we respond to our surroundings that makes the difference. The main problem has always been inside of us: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man” (Mark 7:21–23). Correction of children is clearly taught in the Bible to change their attitudes (Proverbs 22:15).
I am not talking about beating your child or throwing him against the wall or on the floor or slugging or kicking, etc. But as a small child, spank his bottom and allow him to cry softly, but not screaming, which is him punishing you. Standing him in the corner also works well or having him sit on a chair and watch the clock for 15 minutes (which seems like an eternity to a small child), and when he or she is older, restriction also works well.
