Acts 23:1

Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, " Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. "

1. Paul looks his audience in the eye. He speaks directly to them.

2. Conscience is:

1. A trained reflex. We are trained (learn) to be attracted to or avoid certain things. We learn to fear. We learn to hate (prejudice) other people.

2. Conscience is only as reliable as it was taught and trained to be.

3. 1 John 3:20-21 - 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

4. Conscience must be checked, but we must not depend on it as the ONLY source of information for our actions.

5. If our conscience causes doubt - don't. Romans 14:23 - But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

3. While Paul was persecuting Christians, arresting them, sending them to prison, even killing them - He had a clear, clean, good conscience. He was ready to stand before God with confidence that he was doing the will of God.