Focus 2 | Revealed in Conscience
God wants you to get to know him like he knows you, and so he has revealed himself in your very heart through your conscience. From the power and passion of the conscience, from the “otherness” of the voice inside, and even from the grace he shows in allowing people to block out the cries of conscience, God is revealing to you the most sincere and genuine being that can exist—the righteous one, the everything. The conscience is not just a testament to what God thinks is right or wrong, it is also a reflection of who he is. Let’s see him in it.
See what this Spotlight—and series— is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 1" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 1" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Let's talk about knowing what to do.
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Listen to this clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Understand that God sets the standard for "good."
Much like the room in this video sets the standard for...well, watch and see.
Much like the room in this video sets the standard for...well, watch and see.
It's one of the simplest statements ever, that God is good. You experience God’s goodness most of the time in connection to moral goodness. God is morally good. In fact, God is so perfectly morally good that he sets the standard for moral goodness.
But what does God do when he sets that standard? How does it work?
Consider these questions with the help of an argument between some Christian writers from centuries ago:
The Italian writer Thomas Aquinas taught that God declares a thing or activity as good is because God is good at detecting goodness. In other words, God decrees the good because it’s already good.
The other direction to go with God’s goodness is associated with Scottish writer John Duns (commonly known as Duns the Scot or Duns Scotus.) He said that a good thing is good simply because God said so. A thing’s or an action’s goodness has its goodness stamped onto it by God because God is so good.
Both of these arguments are interesting, but neither explanation goes far enough, because both leave room for God to be arbitrary as he judges what is good. He isn't!
When God chooses to make something and God makes plans for that something, the reason you can be sure that there’s goodness in it all is because there’s love there. God’s love moves God to do everything God has done, even if that behind-the-scenes love that might take a while to understand. Love is the impetus for a good God’s work, and that’s really, really good.
But what does God do when he sets that standard? How does it work?
Consider these questions with the help of an argument between some Christian writers from centuries ago:
The Italian writer Thomas Aquinas taught that God declares a thing or activity as good is because God is good at detecting goodness. In other words, God decrees the good because it’s already good.
The other direction to go with God’s goodness is associated with Scottish writer John Duns (commonly known as Duns the Scot or Duns Scotus.) He said that a good thing is good simply because God said so. A thing’s or an action’s goodness has its goodness stamped onto it by God because God is so good.
Both of these arguments are interesting, but neither explanation goes far enough, because both leave room for God to be arbitrary as he judges what is good. He isn't!
When God chooses to make something and God makes plans for that something, the reason you can be sure that there’s goodness in it all is because there’s love there. God’s love moves God to do everything God has done, even if that behind-the-scenes love that might take a while to understand. Love is the impetus for a good God’s work, and that’s really, really good.
Welcome Perspective
The conscience isn't just a little voice telling you what not to do.
Meditate on this spoken word piece about expanding the purpose and usefulness of the conscience. If the conscience truly is God revealing himself to you, in your heart, it's something incredible!
Meditate on this spoken word piece about expanding the purpose and usefulness of the conscience. If the conscience truly is God revealing himself to you, in your heart, it's something incredible!
Read through the lyrics, for your review, if helpful. (It's a lot of words.)
Welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Romans 2:14–15
Can somebody ID this little voice inside our heads?
It isn't ours but it's familiar, like a memory but better yet
a calling from a better friend,
the kind who knows you better than yourself
but loves you better than you ever could imagine.
It's the voice they call the conscience,
but it's more than what they said it was
they said it was a little voice
that helps you become better but
that doesn't seem sufficient if the voice is from a friend.
Friends are not for self-improvement,
they're where selfishness begins to end.
Because if what this voice is for
is nothing more than getting you to do your chores
on time or stopping you before you sneak a cookie
I’m not sure it would be worth it
but if this could be the Lord connecting his Spirit to yours
the implications are enormous -
for no matter where you are
or where you were
or if you listened to that little voice you heard
if it is God's
no matter how you have performed
he has been with you
you have never been ignored!
Welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
We hold these truths to be self-evident...
I know they've called these truths self-evident
but even then somebody missed
that these are really evidence
discovered for remembrance
of a God of love and eminence
and ever since our sins were our inheritance
they're less than for our betterment.
These rules were never meant to
show the lost where heaven is.
That being said these truths can give a sense
of an eternal intervention
from a God who doesn't look away in deference
to our offenses but will bring us to a place he calls repentance
where he will whisper to assure us
there are things that he's done for us.
In our sickness he will cure us.
He is where the air is purest.
and that not so little voice
will not destroy but will encourage
like a guide for you, the tourist,
on your exploration through
the paradise that we call truth-that-can-be-known
and with your conscience in a new light
it will help you see the view right
and that might lead you to do right
but the point is he loves you right
to your core so it makes sense to say:
you're welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
Share any reflection that you'd like with your group.
And—before you go—remember: it's not a question of what but of who. That is, it's not "what is the uniqueness of conscientious consciousness?" but rather "who is the uniqueness of conscientious consciousness?"
Welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Romans 2:14–15
Can somebody ID this little voice inside our heads?
It isn't ours but it's familiar, like a memory but better yet
a calling from a better friend,
the kind who knows you better than yourself
but loves you better than you ever could imagine.
It's the voice they call the conscience,
but it's more than what they said it was
they said it was a little voice
that helps you become better but
that doesn't seem sufficient if the voice is from a friend.
Friends are not for self-improvement,
they're where selfishness begins to end.
Because if what this voice is for
is nothing more than getting you to do your chores
on time or stopping you before you sneak a cookie
I’m not sure it would be worth it
but if this could be the Lord connecting his Spirit to yours
the implications are enormous -
for no matter where you are
or where you were
or if you listened to that little voice you heard
if it is God's
no matter how you have performed
he has been with you
you have never been ignored!
Welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
We hold these truths to be self-evident...
I know they've called these truths self-evident
but even then somebody missed
that these are really evidence
discovered for remembrance
of a God of love and eminence
and ever since our sins were our inheritance
they're less than for our betterment.
These rules were never meant to
show the lost where heaven is.
That being said these truths can give a sense
of an eternal intervention
from a God who doesn't look away in deference
to our offenses but will bring us to a place he calls repentance
where he will whisper to assure us
there are things that he's done for us.
In our sickness he will cure us.
He is where the air is purest.
and that not so little voice
will not destroy but will encourage
like a guide for you, the tourist,
on your exploration through
the paradise that we call truth-that-can-be-known
and with your conscience in a new light
it will help you see the view right
and that might lead you to do right
but the point is he loves you right
to your core so it makes sense to say:
you're welcome to your conscience.
This will begin your interaction with the uniqueness of
conscientious consciousness. Enjoy.
Share any reflection that you'd like with your group.
And—before you go—remember: it's not a question of what but of who. That is, it's not "what is the uniqueness of conscientious consciousness?" but rather "who is the uniqueness of conscientious consciousness?"
Cleanse the conscience with hope from Psalm 32.
Read this psalm with your group. You'll need five different readers (if your group has fewer than five people, you'll do some rotating.)
Voice 1: The Hopeful Voice
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Voice 2: The Sorrowful Voice
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Voice 3: The Forgiven Voice
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Voice 4: The Lord's Voice
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Voice 5: The Encouraging Voice
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Everyone, Together
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Read this psalm with your group. You'll need five different readers (if your group has fewer than five people, you'll do some rotating.)
Voice 1: The Hopeful Voice
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Voice 2: The Sorrowful Voice
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Voice 3: The Forgiven Voice
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Voice 4: The Lord's Voice
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Voice 5: The Encouraging Voice
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
Everyone, Together
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Listen to and follow along with the song, "I'm Gonna Cry," by Matthew Thiessen & The Earthquakes.
In the same spirit as the repentant heart in Psalm 32, the writer of this song is experiencing both regret and hopeful longing in his spirit as he realizes he's failed to be what he could have been. The song is like a love song to God, wanting the intimacy that the conscience provides but acknowledging all the times you've ignored it and praying that in the future, with help, you can do better. (This is, of course, what grace makes possible!)
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
In the same spirit as the repentant heart in Psalm 32, the writer of this song is experiencing both regret and hopeful longing in his spirit as he realizes he's failed to be what he could have been. The song is like a love song to God, wanting the intimacy that the conscience provides but acknowledging all the times you've ignored it and praying that in the future, with help, you can do better. (This is, of course, what grace makes possible!)
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
Worship Perspective
Compare three different Bible translations' versions of Romans 2:12–16 to figure out what the conscience really does.
Human beings can do things that go against what they believe to be good—they can do things that directly contradict their own best interests. God doesn't do that. He's so passionate about his love that he's always faithful to it. He always cares, and he never has a lazy day where he "turns it off" for awhile.
That passion is what the conscience can "sense." Because humanity does not always share that passion, the ability to sense it can actually make a person feel bad because it makes you aware that a) it's good and b) you don't always live in a way that's good like that.
The Bible calls that your conscience interacting with God's law. One of the most important passages in the Bible on this is Romans 2:12–16.
Divide into three groups, one for each of the three following translations. With your group, read the section and answer these two questions:
Share the answers and discuss with the whole group, once each group is ready.
Discuss the following "complete-the-sentence" with Romans 2:12–16 in mind.
God's law is not simply a way of controlling people. It is his way of…
Human beings can do things that go against what they believe to be good—they can do things that directly contradict their own best interests. God doesn't do that. He's so passionate about his love that he's always faithful to it. He always cares, and he never has a lazy day where he "turns it off" for awhile.
That passion is what the conscience can "sense." Because humanity does not always share that passion, the ability to sense it can actually make a person feel bad because it makes you aware that a) it's good and b) you don't always live in a way that's good like that.
The Bible calls that your conscience interacting with God's law. One of the most important passages in the Bible on this is Romans 2:12–16.
Divide into three groups, one for each of the three following translations. With your group, read the section and answer these two questions:
- What do verses 12 and 13 of your translation say to show that God's passion is one of action—not just a passion of principle? (That is, how is God different from people who yell at their TVs while they watch the news but don't go do anything about the world's problems?)
- How does the ending of your translation explain that everybody has what it takes to detect God?
Share the answers and discuss with the whole group, once each group is ready.
Discuss the following "complete-the-sentence" with Romans 2:12–16 in mind.
God's law is not simply a way of controlling people. It is his way of…
Compare the conscience to signs along a road.
There are many good ways you could have finished that sentence. Here's one:
God's law is not simply a way of controlling people. It is his way of… helping them walk with him.
The conscience is about "God's yes and no, right and wrong" (as The Message translation put it) but the goal of that is not to condemn people as much as it is to help them sense God. When you listen to your conscience and your conscience is working well, it's helping you find that which is godly and avoid that which is not.
As people who live in a sinful world, this broader, better purpose of the conscience can become muddled because so much time and energy is spent simply fighting the sinful desire to do things that aren't helpful. As a result, people tend to think the conscience is most like a stop sign or a caution sign on the road. It just tells you what not to do.
That's an incomplete picture. Romans 2:15 even shows this:
…their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
As the conscience taps into God's divine passion, it notices not only what is bad but also what is good. Practice seeing it that way—not just as forbiddance, but as a gift of God's forbearance, as he helps you follow him.
Exercise:
Compare the conscience to types of road signs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the following categories of road signs:
Come up with examples of ways that the conscience can have uses like each one of these kinds of signs, guiding people toward what God has for them.
Listen to this song in reflection of the destination to which God is guiding people—once you've come up with an example for each, that is.
(The lyrics are posted below the video player.)
There are many good ways you could have finished that sentence. Here's one:
God's law is not simply a way of controlling people. It is his way of… helping them walk with him.
The conscience is about "God's yes and no, right and wrong" (as The Message translation put it) but the goal of that is not to condemn people as much as it is to help them sense God. When you listen to your conscience and your conscience is working well, it's helping you find that which is godly and avoid that which is not.
As people who live in a sinful world, this broader, better purpose of the conscience can become muddled because so much time and energy is spent simply fighting the sinful desire to do things that aren't helpful. As a result, people tend to think the conscience is most like a stop sign or a caution sign on the road. It just tells you what not to do.
That's an incomplete picture. Romans 2:15 even shows this:
…their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.
As the conscience taps into God's divine passion, it notices not only what is bad but also what is good. Practice seeing it that way—not just as forbiddance, but as a gift of God's forbearance, as he helps you follow him.
Exercise:
Compare the conscience to types of road signs.
The U.S. Department of Transportation recognizes the following categories of road signs:
Come up with examples of ways that the conscience can have uses like each one of these kinds of signs, guiding people toward what God has for them.
Listen to this song in reflection of the destination to which God is guiding people—once you've come up with an example for each, that is.
(The lyrics are posted below the video player.)
You’re in a place you think you know / surrounded but you feel alone.
You have a place to rest your head / but not a home.
Feels like you lost yourself again / sit in the silence of a friend.
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home.
The burden you choose to bare / keeping yourself from those who care.
Problems and pride play hide and seek / you’re unaware.
All of the things you keep concealed / one day are bound to be revealed.
We paint a picture of ourselves that isn’t real.
Feels like you lost yourself again / sit in the silence of a friend.
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home.
In time / may you find / peace of mind / with me my friend.
You have a place to rest your head / but not a home.
Feels like you lost yourself again / sit in the silence of a friend.
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home.
The burden you choose to bare / keeping yourself from those who care.
Problems and pride play hide and seek / you’re unaware.
All of the things you keep concealed / one day are bound to be revealed.
We paint a picture of ourselves that isn’t real.
Feels like you lost yourself again / sit in the silence of a friend.
When you are fully known and loved / you have a home.
In time / may you find / peace of mind / with me my friend.
Road sign image source: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/services/publications/fhwaop02084/
Learn Perspective
Tell us where you've seen God. (Really, we want to know.)
There's something exciting, no matter who you are, about the idea of a god being out there (just think of our fascination with aliens, or with "source of life" stories, or with power)—and that excitement is only enhanced when you find out that God is willing to reveal himself.
In this series, you'll hear about four specific ways God reveals himself—in creation, in conscience, in scripture, and in Christ. These are important because God has directly told us he reveals himself these ways, so you can count on them. But the actual way that these revelations are perceived is as varied as individual humans. It's a little different for everyone, and that's OK. In fact, that's evidence of God's amazing mercy—meeting each person just as they are.
In that spirit, Illume wants to celebrate the moments when people are aware of a God who is revealing himself. There is no bad or inadequate version of a story like this. You don't have to scrounge through your memory for a miracle moment, but if you have one, it would be a good one to share. You can do so by sharing your story here.
Record your story and upload it to the following form to send it to Kent. (Hint: Recording your story as an unpolished video or voice memo on your phone will do just fine.)
There's something exciting, no matter who you are, about the idea of a god being out there (just think of our fascination with aliens, or with "source of life" stories, or with power)—and that excitement is only enhanced when you find out that God is willing to reveal himself.
In this series, you'll hear about four specific ways God reveals himself—in creation, in conscience, in scripture, and in Christ. These are important because God has directly told us he reveals himself these ways, so you can count on them. But the actual way that these revelations are perceived is as varied as individual humans. It's a little different for everyone, and that's OK. In fact, that's evidence of God's amazing mercy—meeting each person just as they are.
In that spirit, Illume wants to celebrate the moments when people are aware of a God who is revealing himself. There is no bad or inadequate version of a story like this. You don't have to scrounge through your memory for a miracle moment, but if you have one, it would be a good one to share. You can do so by sharing your story here.
Record your story and upload it to the following form to send it to Kent. (Hint: Recording your story as an unpolished video or voice memo on your phone will do just fine.)
Read through some quick notes on this to help contextualize the project:
Consider this five-sentence pitch if you're still on the fence about sharing a story:
- You can submit more than once, if you don't like the way some part of your telling of the story turned out. Don't overthink it, though! These are human stories. They can—and should—be imperfect. Everyone's story is (except for Jesus'.)
- Note: Illume reserves the right to edit stories or not include stories for any reason. We apologize if something about your story doesn't work out for this purpose. That doesn't mean it is an unimportant story! It just means this wasn't the right fit for it.
Consider this five-sentence pitch if you're still on the fence about sharing a story:
- Somebody might come to know God through your story—what could be better than that?
- Somebody might come to know God through your story—what could be better than that?
- Somebody might come to know God through your story—what could be better than that?
- Somebody might come to know God through your story—what could be better than that?
- Somebody might come to know God through your story—what could be better than that?
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
Serve Perspective
Pray in gratitude for the gift of a conscience.
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Jeremiah 31:33–34
The conscience is not just useful for today, it is also a predicting shadow of what is to come: a day when everyone will know God in an unmistakable way.
Start your group prayer time today by thanking God for revealing himself through your conscience. Have a group member say a simple prayer for each of the following prompts:
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Jeremiah 31:33–34
The conscience is not just useful for today, it is also a predicting shadow of what is to come: a day when everyone will know God in an unmistakable way.
Start your group prayer time today by thanking God for revealing himself through your conscience. Have a group member say a simple prayer for each of the following prompts:
- Praise God for his perfect, faithful passion for what is loving and good.
- Repent for times you've ignored your conscience as it senses that good passion.
- Ask God for help in using the conscience well.
- Thank God for the hope of a day when all will know him.
Listen to this song as we wrap up today.
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
(Once you press play to start the song, you can click through the lyrics in the frame below the video player.)
Farewell Perspective
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Posted in Revelation in a Certain Light
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