“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” -Romans 14:23

We all have them: actions and things that we do that don’t seem to sit well with us. Borderline things that we cannot discern to be good or bad. We can’t explain why we feel uneasy. Perhaps many other people, even Christians, are doing the very same things. Yet underneath it all, something just doesn’t seem right.

In light of the Bible verse above, we ought to attempt to reconcile our actions to our faith: and if we cannot, then we ought to forsake the activity in question. For the Bible is quite clear, that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” And in the context of the verse, this even includes things that are completely harmless to some, but to others it may be a stumbling-block.

We ought not to underestimate the advantage of a clear conscience. Are a few questionable activities worth the price of a clouded conscience? For the psalmist has said: “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). And the apostle John enumerates this principle more clearly:

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.” -1 John 3:21-22

Welsh revivalist Evan Roberts listed this clarity and innocence of conscience as one of the four key conditions that is essential for revival. He said:

“Is there anything in your life that is doubtful—you cannot decide whether it is good or evil? Away with it! There must not be a trace of a cloud between you and God.” -Evan Roberts

• An Evil Conscience
• Fear and a Guilty Conscience
• You Get What You Give
• Don’t Take Revenge
• Contradiction?

Filed under:
Christian Devotions/Bible Study by Dean