Holy spirit vs conscience

ilovejcsog

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You can move this if you like as I can never figure out where to put most of these. Thanks

I can't leave this alone as I brought it up in another thread where it didn't belong.
It seems to me they are very similar. If you are a Christian can you tell the difference? Seems easy enough if you aren't a Christian as the HS will not be speaking to you but The problem remains it seems, to be with the Christian if you think it is a problem. I do know a few people that have no conscience. Seems like they could never be Christians because they were people that actions were without conscience and never would be. With Christians how would they know which is speaking to them the HS or their conscience?
Any comments on this subject?

"Conscience | Definition of Conscience at Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com Is The World’s Favorite Online Dictionary › browse › conscience

noun. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual."
 
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Anguspure

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You can move this if you like as I can never figure out where to put most of these. Thanks

I can't leave this alone as I brought it up in another thread where it didn't belong.
It seems to me they are very similar. If you are a Christian can you tell the difference? Seems easy enough if you aren't a Christian as the HS will not be speaking to you but The problem remains it seems, to be with the Christian if you think it is a problem. I do know a few people that have no conscience. Seems like they could never be Christians because they were people that actions were without conscience and never would be. With Christians how would they know which is speaking to them the HS or their conscience?
Any comments on this subject?

"Conscience | Definition of Conscience at Dictionary.com
Dictionary.com Is The World’s Favorite Online Dictionary › browse › conscience

noun. the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action: to follow the dictates of conscience. the complex of ethical and moral principles that controls or inhibits the actions or thoughts of an individual."
I am a person with very little natural conscience in some particular areas of life, it is a familial and developmental thing I guess.
However I have come to know what it is that the Spirit says to me on these issues.
 
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Jeshu

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The conscience develops in us because we learn about right and wrong. God intended our conscience for good. However satan misused our conscience and took up his position as accuser therein, which will more often than not keep us away from God.

The Holy Spirit speaks through Scriptural truths while our conscience processes the information according the right and wrong we have learned to accept. For example if legalistic parents teach their children that listening to music, dancing or riding the push bikes on Sunday is wrong such people will have a hard time pursuing these activities thinking there is nothing wrong and have a good time.

The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, cuts us to the heart, convicting us of sin and then proceeds setting us free from guilt and shame and finding safety in the blood of our Saviour. The Holy Spirit doesn't accuse us like satan without giving us the means to do it right but demanding we do it in our own ability. Rather The Holy Spirit convicts us completely of our wrong doing in love but in truth and points us to Christ for redemption. Two very different forces. The conscience needs to be crystal clear - then we know Jesus has been at work and we will live with thankful instead of fearful hearts.

Peace.
 
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AvisG

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If you are a Christian can you tell the difference?

That is an excellent question!

I was raised by alcoholic parents in a completely non-religious (but not atheistic or irreligious) home. Nevertheless, even as a toddler I was extremely sensitive with an acute conscience. Things that didn't seem to bother other kids, such as cruelty to insects, animals or other kids, bothered me a great deal.

Presumably this acute conscience wasn't the Holy Spirit. (For reasons too long to discuss here, I believe that God was a protector and influence in my life long before I became a Christian, which is why I say "presumably" rather than "definitely.")

By my teenage and college years, I was involved in some things that were hardly "terrible" by teenage standards but that were clearly "wrong" (and even criminal) and that bothered me a great deal. If I had not sunk to this level, I'm not sure that I would ever have become a Christian. Was this the Holy Spirit preparing me to receive the Gospel message?

My "born again" experience was completely unanticipated. I picked up my roommate's Bible out of sheer boredom one afternoon and read the Gospel of John. To my astonishment, it was as though I'd been hit over the head with a celestial hammer.

Over the years, I somewhat discounted that experience. Yet when I looked back at the end of 20, 30 and 40 years, I could see that a transformation in many areas of attitude and conduct had occurred without me even trying or being consciously aware of what was happening. This transformation I must attribute to the Holy Spirit because conscience really doesn't explain it - much of the transformation wasn't really a "matter of conscience."

On a day to day basis - no, I don't think I can "tell the difference" between the workings of my conscience and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If I stay in touch with God through prayer and awareness, I assume the Holy Spirit is working in my life. So I don't question at all "Was that my conscience or the Holy Spirit?" I assume my conscience and the Holy Spirit are in synch.
 
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Petros2015

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The conscience can be strengthened under the direction and guidance and by submitting to the Holy Spirit, the more it aligns itself. It could even be 'brought to life' so to speak by conviction from the Holy Spirit. In the same way, it can wither and (possibly die?) under the direction and guidance and by submitting to an unholy spirit and sin.
 
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iamchance

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From my experiences the conscience mind and the Holy Spirit are very distinguishable. Conscience defined is the sense of moral goodness or blameworthiness of one's own conduct (Merriam Webster). During my experiences with the Holy Spirit I had new knowledge, new presence, and I was moved to do things that I never had done or thought to do before. I encountered this in micro-moments.. Sitting down with friends talking and connecting with other believers. Walking through a park or camping with fellow Christians.

If you're looking to gain access to the Holy Spirit, pray in the spirit, if you don't know what that means then do a little bit of research. The Holy Spirit is not something you can ever think yourself into. With that said, try not to pray from thought. Sometimes I have to spend up to an hour in prayer to gain access to the spirit and the first half hour I may just be sitting there waiting for the spirit to move me for what I need to pray for. But, once you're filled every interaction is incredible. You can make people smile just with your presence, people can sense things are different about you and you become magnetic. We all have different spiritual gifts and are anointed differently, maybe others experiences differ from this.
 
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ilovejcsog

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That is an excellent question!

I was raised by alcoholic parents in a completely non-religious (but not atheistic or irreligious) home. Nevertheless, even as a toddler I was extremely sensitive with an acute conscience. Things that didn't seem to bother other kids, such as cruelty to insects, animals or other kids, bothered me a great deal.

Presumably this acute conscience wasn't the Holy Spirit. (For reasons too long to discuss here, I believe that God was a protector and influence in my life long before I became a Christian, which is why I say "presumably" rather than "definitely.")

By my teenage and college years, I was involved in some things that were hardly "terrible" by teenage standards but that were clearly "wrong" (and even criminal) and that bothered me a great deal. If I had not sunk to this level, I'm not sure that I would ever have become a Christian. Was this the Holy Spirit preparing me to receive the Gospel message?

My "born again" experience was completely unanticipated. I picked up my roommate's Bible out of sheer boredom one afternoon and read the Gospel of John. To my astonishment, it was as though I'd been hit over the head with a celestial hammer.

Over the years, I somewhat discounted that experience. Yet when I looked back at the end of 20, 30 and 40 years, I could see that a transformation in many areas of attitude and conduct had occurred without me even trying or being consciously aware of what was happening. This transformation I must attribute to the Holy Spirit because conscience really doesn't explain it - much of the transformation wasn't really a "matter of conscience."

On a day to day basis - no, I don't think I can "tell the difference" between the workings of my conscience and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. If I stay in touch with God through prayer and awareness, I assume the Holy Spirit is working in my life. So I don't question at all "Was that my conscience or the Holy Spirit?" I assume my conscience and the Holy Spirit are in synch.
I loved this movie so much I bought it years ago on VHS:)
I thank you for this insightful answer!
 
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ilovejcsog

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I am a person with very little natural conscience in some particular areas of life, it is a familial and developmental thing I guess.
However I have come to know what it is that the Spirit says to me on these issues.
I was drawn to your post as not many people would admit to not having a conscience some of the time. I felt bad for you with this truth you feel. God Bless you and your courage.
 
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