The Conscience as a Guide by Eliza H. Morton

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Aug 31, 1915

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 42, No. 34.

The Conscience as a Guide

By Eliza H. Morton

SOME suppose that the conscience is a guide, an instructor, and a voice to be obeyed always. It is true that the conscience is primarily a monitor given by God, and should be regarded.

Conscience, however, is a matter of education. It bows to a standard; and if the standard is wrong, the conscience will be an unsafe guide.

The word of God is the only true standard of righteousness. The conscience should be educated by that. The Bible instructs and guides, while the conscience prompts and prods. The conscience makes its decisions in accordance with the information possessed by the mind. Every man has a sense of right and wrong (Gen. 3: 15; John 1: 9), and that feeling depends on the light that has been received.

When men do not live up to the light they have received, their consciences become seared. 1 Tim. 4: 2. God will enlighten those who honestly desire to know the truth. When the conscience is educated by the Bible, it becomes at times an audible voice. "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." Isa. 30: 21.

ELIZA H. MORTON.