May 29

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith. — 1 Tim 1:19 BSB

In the Apostle Paul’s time, there were people who claimed to have faith but had cast aside “good conscience.” Paul specifically mentions Hymeneus and Alexander, whom he had “delivered unto Satan,” meaning they had been excommunicated from the Church as heretics and blasphemers. If putting away a good conscience made these men unfit for the visible Church of God, how much more should we examine whether we have this vital weapon by our side and in our hand.

What does Paul mean by “a good conscience”? I believe he refers to a conscience that is alive to the fear of God—a spiritual, tender conscience, what he elsewhere calls “a pure conscience.” He speaks of “holding faith in a pure conscience,” which is a conscience purified from ignorance, guilt, and the power of sin—a “conscience void of offense toward God and man.” Wherever there is true, living faith in the soul, it will always be accompanied by a good conscience. God never sends a soldier into battle with only the weapon of faith; He gives faith in one hand and a good conscience in the other. Anyone who claims to have faith but disregards a good conscience will soon reveal himself to be one of those who “concerning faith have made shipwreck.”

Why is it called a “good conscience”? Because it comes from God, who is the source of all that is good. God is the giver of “every good and perfect gift.” A good conscience is one of the weapons God arms His soldiers with, and it works alongside faith, proving the sincerity and genuineness of that faith. Faith without a good conscience is dead. It bears the marks of human nature, and no matter how confident or active it may appear, it is not the faith of God’s elect, which leads to the salvation of the soul.

But how does a good conscience work with faith? What is the connection between these two weapons, and how do they support and strengthen each other? It works like this: What faith believes, good conscience feels; what faith receives, good conscience holds fast; what faith embraces, good conscience secures. When faith is weak, good conscience is feeble; when faith is strong, good conscience is active. They grow and wane together, like two branches from the same root, flourishing or fading together.

The one who fights the good fight of faith is the one who goes forth with faith in one hand and a good conscience in the other. Faith strengthens conscience, and conscience strengthens faith. Each does its own work, but both work together for the same goal—fighting the Lord’s battles and bringing the soldier safely and victoriously through every enemy.