Clear Conscience by Mitch Metzger

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Clear Conscience Christianity By Mitchell S. Metzger Mitch’s Videos: Clear Conscience 1 Clear Conscience 2

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Definition: Inner freedom of spirit towards God and others that comes by knowing that God’s holiness is not offended by one’s thoughts or actions and that no one can point a finger at you and say, “You have offended me and you have never asked for my forgiveness.” Your Mirror

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Biblical Example: Matthew 3 – John the Baptist baptizing people in the River Jordan for repentance of their sins Verse 8 “Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:” Restitution

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And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16

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Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 1 Timothy 1:5 READ 1 Corinthian 4:1-5; 1 Timothy 3:8-9; 2 Corinthian 1:12; Hebrews 13:18

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It makes judgments of our behavior, thought and attitude How Does the Conscience Work? READ Romans 2:14-16 note verse 15 - Their conscience also bearing witness “yes, that’s right or no, that’s wrong.”

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The Basis of it’s judgment is the Law of God written on our heart. Believers and non-believers were created with a conscience. Affirming and Creating Guilt Guilt is designed to remind us to go back and correct the mistake

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We feel the weight of “Guilt” every time we violate our conscience

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Rationalism: “explaining it away” or “everyone else is doing it and it’s not really wrong.” Reactions to Guilt Procrastination: “It was such a long time ago” or “It was such a little thing” or “why should I confess, they weren’t Christian, they won’t understand” or “I’m only half to blame.”

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True Guilt: Conviction from God Two kinds of Guilt: False Guilt: Condemnation from People Confession and Restitution remove Guilt

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If our scales are unbalanced, we will use Blame, Bitterness or un-forgiveness. “I” = 10% “Others” = 90% “The greater Guilt we feel the more we must blame, the more we blame, the more we sin, the heavier we get weighed down.”

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In TRUE REPENTANCE, we are not just asking forgiveness to GOD but to others also. READ James 5:16 READ 1 John 1:9

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How our Conscience is Damaged: READ Titus 1:15 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2 A. Defilement/Searing Warning! If we continue to violate our conscience again and again, it becomes calloused. It doesn’t work anymore. It says nothing. It brings no conviction and it brings no Guilt. It’s out of action.

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How our Conscience is Damaged: READ Titus 1:15 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2 A. Defilement/Searing B. Weakening Social behavior b. Cultural tradition and c. Religious tradition

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So man has a problem: a weak and defiled conscience! Warning! If we continue to violate our conscience again and again, it becomes calloused. It doesn’t work anymore. It says nothing. It brings no conviction and it brings no Guilt. It’s out of action. 8 Areas Affected

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Spiritual Warfare Failure: No strength over temptation & the devil.

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2. Evangelistic Influence Drops: witnessing, preaching, counseling

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3. Decision Making Ability Fails

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4. Friendships Drop: because you’re not open, hiding, not honest

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5. Confidence Drops: Fears, Insecurities

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6. Maturity & Growth: no vision, no direction, no guidance no revelation

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7. Joy Drops: superficial worship

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8. Prayer Life Affected: Intercession

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“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” Separation from God Isaiah 59:2

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How to free and heal your affected conscience?

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Hebrews 9:13-14 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? READ Heb 10:22

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READ 1 Timothy 1:19 READ 1 John 1:5-9 Two conditions: 1. Walk in the Light (truth) 2. Confess your sins

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Three Categories of Sins: Secret Sins of the Heart (thought, attitude) Private Sins (individual) Public Sins (group)

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Now Let’s Talk about Restitution: Look into the mirror of memory List those you have offended

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Excuses: “It happened a long time ago.” “The one I wronged has moved away.” “It was such a small offense.” “Things are better now.” I’m just being too sensitive (silly me!) “No one’s perfect!” “They won’t understand.” “Making it right will involve money I don’t have.” “I can’t remember exactly how much I stole.”

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Excuses continued… 10. “I’ll do it later.” 11. “I’ll only do it over again.” 12. “The other person was mostly wrong.” 13. “My parents won’t understand.” 14. “If I purpose not to do it again, won’t that be enough?” 15. “If I go back, it will get my friend into trouble.” 16. “The person I wronged has died.” 17. “I don’t want to open old wounds.” 18. “They are not Christians. What will they think?”

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Timing and Method What is the best method of approach? Make comments about phone calls, personal visits, and letters (emails). Is this the best time for the other person? If not sure, make prior arrangement. Not dinner hour! Is it a time when you would be interrupted? Maybe another room? In asking forgiveness, it is important to consider the following:

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4. Would she/he be in the proper mood to ask forgiveness? Do they have temper? 5. Avoid sensual details. Do not review impure details of the offense. 6. Start with the greater offense. 7. Do not try to witness at the same time. No evangelism during this time. 8. Make sure you have forgiven them of their offense against you. 9. Make sure you have forgiven them before you visit (Matthew 6:14-15).

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Mitch Metzger www.gomitch2.com