Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good
conscience and from sincere faith."  1 Timothy 1:5

Once again let us visit this verse and see what Scripture has to tell of 'a
good conscience'.
VINE'S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY defines the conscience in part as: "That
process of thought which distinguishes what it considers morally good or
bad, commending the good, condemning the bad, and so prompting to do the
former, and avoid the latter."

With this definition in mind let's see what Scripture tells us.  The
following give some examples of Vine's definition:
Good/pure/clear conscience:
(To those mentioned last week we add):
Of the Apostle Paul, in his defense before the Sanhedrin, Acts 23:1 states,
"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council said, 'men and brethren, I have
lived in all good conscience before God until this day.'"

1 Timothy 3:9 states as part of the qualifications for a deacon that,
"They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear
conscience."

Evil/defiled/seared conscience:
(These verses are written to Believers to avoid such a state of conscience):
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure
water."  Hebrews 10:22

"However, not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the
idol, until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their
conscience being weak is defiled."  1 Corinthians 8:7
(As an explanation of this verse see what Paul says in Romans 14:14, "I know
and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but to
him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.")

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from
the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by
mean of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a
branding iron."  1 Timothy 4:1-2

What are the functions of the conscience?
It is a witness:
"For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of
the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they
show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing
witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or defending them."
Romans 2:14-15

It is an accuser:
John 8:1-11 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery who was brought to
Jesus concerning the Law of stoning such a one and asking what He says. It
was to trap and accuse Him.  However, their own consciences accused and
convicted them and they walked away. Verse 9 tells us,
"Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one
by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last.  And Jesus was left
alone, and the woman standing in the midst."
(Read the whole scenario it gives a very clear picture.)

It is an upholder:
As we saw last week in Paul writing to Timothy,
"...Fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some
have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith."
1 Timothy 1:18-19

It is a server for good:
Paul is writing here concerning obeying the governing authority for they are
God's servant:
"Therefore one must be subject, not only to avoid God's wrath and escape
punishment, but also as a matter of principle and for the sake of
conscience."  Romans 13:5

Remember the commandment is love from a 'good conscience.'
So we ask that the Holy Spirit to reveal our hearts and bring to light in us
all that is not right in the sight of our gracious Lord and God.  For it is
a good, pure, clean conscience that is able to enjoy the blessing of love
and peace.  Amen.