1 Timothy 4:2 (NKJV) Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
If we consistently refuse to yield to the Holy Spirit and do what is righteous, holy, and just, His voice will become less authoritative in our lives. When we fail to practise what is ethically correct in our business dealings, use coarse words, lie persistently, and live a lifestyle that is not redeemed, our conscience is being seared with a hot iron, making it less sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit. This is why many believers find it difficult to hear His voice clearly. Therefore, we must refrain from yielding to the wrong choice when we feel the Holy Spirit’s disapproval through our spirit, because we will sense the Holy Spirit’s displeasure when we refuse to obey. As Christians, it is our responsibility to keep a clear conscience so we can hear His voice effectively because we don’t want our communication channel to be blocked.
The conscience is one of the spiritual senses, and it must be trained to discern what is good and evil. Its accuracy can be increased through active and regular usage. We should consult the Holy Spirit by checking what the conscience is telling us on all occasions.
Here are some guidelines:
- We will have a bad conscience when we have not dealt with wrong.
- We will feel uneasy or guilty in the presence of God when we have a bad conscience.
- We will find excuses for our bad behaviour.
- We will be fearful of God’s judgement.
Because the Holy Spirit, who is God, is holy, He disapproves of us watching pornography, and He will speak to our conscience to show His disapproval. We can either stop the video or choose not to access the website. There will always be a moment, even if just a few seconds, before we act on some premeditated thought. During this moment, our conscience struggles to tell us about the Holy Spirit’s conviction of our desire to sin. If we choose not to act on it, our conscience will continue to serve as a reliable guide, but if we ignore what is right based on the prompting of the Holy Spirit, our conscience becomes seared. The Holy Spirit will always convict us because our conscience naturally desires to do what is right.
The Holy Spirit desires us to have integrity and good character because we are the salt and light of the world. Our yes should be a yes, and a no should be a no, because anything apart from it is evil. We must be clear about what we mean and mean what we say. Our words represent us, so if our words no longer hold meaning for others, they will not trust us. We need to honour our promises because the Holy Spirit would want us to do so. Our conscience, prompted by the Holy Spirit, will lead us to act righteously and with integrity. We will gain His approval and enjoy peace when we choose to do the right thing.
The more we submit to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, the more attuned we become to hearing His voice.
Sermon Series：The Norm in the New Era
操练你的良心
提摩太前书4:2 这是因为说谎之人的假冒，这等人的良心如同被热铁烙惯了一般。
如果我们一再拒绝顺服圣灵，不去行公义、圣洁和正直的事，圣灵在我们生命中的声音就会逐渐失去权威。当我们在商业往来中不遵行道德准则，使用粗俗的言语，持续说谎，或过着未被救赎更新的生活时，我们的良心就如同被热铁烙了一样，对圣灵的声音变得迟钝。这正是为什么许多信徒发现自己难以清楚地听见圣灵的声音。因此，当我们在灵里感受到圣灵的不悦时，必须拒绝作出错误的选择；因为当我们不顺服时，内心会真实地察觉到圣灵的忧伤。作为基督徒，我们有责任持守清洁的良心，好让自己能有效地听见祂的声音，因为我们不愿让与神沟通的管道被堵塞。
良心是属灵感官之一，需要被操练，才能分辨善与恶。透过持续而主动地使用，它的准确度会不断提升。我们应当在每一个时刻，借着留意良心的提醒，来寻求并查验圣灵的引导。
以下是一些指引：
• 当我们没有正视并处理罪或错误时，就会有亏欠的良心。
• 当良心有亏时，我们在神面前会感到不安或内疚。
• 我们会为不良的行为找借口。
• 我们会对神的审判心生惧怕。
因为圣灵就是圣洁的神，祂不喜悦我们观看色情内容，并会在良心中发声，显明祂的不认可。此时，我们可以选择停止播放，或不再进入相关的网站。在我们付诸行动之前，总会有一个瞬间——哪怕只有几秒钟——在这段时间里，良心会挣扎着向我们传达圣灵对犯罪欲望的责备。如果我们选择不去行那件事，良心就会继续成为可靠的引导；但若我们忽视圣灵的提醒、明知对却不去行，我们的良心就会逐渐被烙麻木。圣灵总是会责备我们，因为良心本就渴望行正直的事。
圣灵渴望我们拥有正直与美好的品格，因为我们是世上的盐和光。我们的“是”就当是“是”，“不是”就当是“不是”，再多说的便是出于那恶者。我们必须清楚自己所表达的意思，也要言出必行。言语代表我们这个人；若我们的言语在他人心中失去分量，人们就无法再信任我们。我们需要信守承诺，因为这是圣灵所喜悦的。良心在圣灵的感动下，会引导我们行在公义与正直中；当我们选择做对的事时，便能得着祂的喜悦，也享受内心的平安。
我们越是顺服圣灵的引导，就越能敏锐地听见祂的声音。
讲道系列：新纪元的常态