Matter of Conscience: Knowing and Applying Bible Principles (Proverbs 2:1–9)

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Yomelijah

4 min readDec 11, 2022

Now let us look at how to make a correct decision, based on biblical principles with a question as example: Can the Christian take drugs? One way to have a clear and precise answer is to ask the question what decision would Jesus Christ have made? It is interesting to note the decision that Jesus Christ made at the place of his execution: “They gave him wine mixed with gall to drink; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it” (Matthew 27:34). Jesus Christ wanted to have control of his mind until his death. The use of drugs acts on the mental state but also pollutes the human body. Here is what it is written: “Therefore, I appeal to you by the compassions of God, brothers, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, a sacred service with your power of reason” (Romans 12:1). The service we render to God requires a self-control of our mental state by using our reason. Our body and our mind must be holy. Based on these two timeless biblical principles, holiness and the use of reason, allow us to know what decision to take.
Sometimes, on more complex questions, we can seek advice from Christians who have a long experience of applying biblical principles: “When there is no skillful direction, the people fall, But there is success through many advisers” (Proverbs 11:14). Of course, the adviser will bring out biblical principles with the aim that the person knows what he must do (and without necessarily “telling” him what he must do, but rather bringing him to “understand” what he must do based on the biblical principles involved). The goal of the adviser is to teach to find the biblical principles so that the person who reaches maturity can be autonomous in his ability to make decisions on complex situations, and no longer need, eventually, to constantly ask advice (Hebrews 5:14).
One last point, Jesus Christ showed that even if we are in our right, sometimes it is necessary to take into account the feelings of others, so as not to be a stumbling block for others. Here is the decision that Jesus Christ took in renouncing his right so as not to offend the person: “After they arrived in Ca·pernaum, the men collecting the two drachmas tax approached Peter and said: “Does your teacher not pay the two drachmas tax?” He said: “Yes.” However, when he entered the house, Jesus spoke to him first and said: “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive duties or head tax? From their sons or from the strangers?” When he said: “From the strangers,” Jesus said to him: “Really, then, the sons are tax-free. But that we do not cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a fishhook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth, you will find a silver coin. Take that and give it to them for me and you”’ (Matthew 17:24–27) Jesus Christ made Peter reason that he did not have to pay this tax. However, he did not want to trip up these men who did not have all the information to understand why he should have been exempt from this tax.
Of course, in the context of Hebrews 5:14, the “perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong” or the conscience “exercised in distinguishing between good and evil”, is the result of both a long life experience based on the application of biblical principles. He or she who has reached Christian maturity, on the basis of divine knowledge, discernment, insight and wisdom given by God, will demonstrate before God and men, that he has a well educated and well exercised conscience, to do the difference between good and evil, in ambiguous, intermediate and complex situations, a little like King Solomon and like Jesus Christ. In doing so, by his behavior full of divine wisdom, he will give glory to God: “You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid when situated upon a mountain. People light a lamp and set it, not under the measuring basket, but upon the lampstand, and it shines upon all those in the house. Likewise let your light shine before men, that they may see your fine works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens” (Matthew 5:14–16).

The teaching of Jesus Christ that leads to spiritual maturity
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 to 7)
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The prophecy of Daniel:
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Zechariah’s prophecy:
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To read the whole article “Good things to come”:

English: http://www.yomelyah.com/436586396

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To read the whole article of “Why did God allow suffering and wickedness?”, please choose your preferred language, below:

English: http://www.yomelyah.com/435935499

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