Deep Dive into Cornerstone by Jeremy Prayer - Decision Making and Gray Areas

A conscience is an individual's internal awareness or sense of what they believe is right or wrong, functioning as a guide, monitor, witness, or judge. It is highly unique to each person, shaped by influences such as family dynamics, culture, personal background, consequences from past decisions, and one's interpretation of the Bible.

A weak conscience specifically refers to a conscience that is misfiring or not properly aligned with God's word on a particular matter, often due to a lack of knowledge. It tends to perceive more actions as sinful than God intends, thereby binding a person beyond necessary prohibitions. This term does not imply a lack of conviction, weak faith, or a lower standing in the church; everyone is simultaneously strong and weak on different issues.

Matters of conscience are categorized into three tiers:

• First-tier issues are foundational to the Christian faith (e.g., the deity of Christ); denying them means one is not a Christian.
• Second-tier issues are essential for church life and order (e.g., baptism); differences here may lead to separate congregations.
• Third-tier issues are matters of indifference where God has no specific command (e.g., certain dress codes). These should not cause division, though elevating them to higher tiers often leads to disunity. Both a strong and weak conscience can honor the Lord in matters of indifference by acting on their conviction.

God's revealed will is what He clearly expects and wants from you, clearly revealed in Scripture. It is not a mystery and believers are commanded to obey it. This revealed will is characterized by several "S" aspects: being Saved, Spirit-controlled, Sexually Pure, Submitting, Stewarding, Supporting the Saints, Serving, Suffering, and Satisfied/Thankful. If a believer's life reflects these, they are living according to God's revealed will. For decisions not directly addressed in the Bible, the question then shifts to what the individual, as a vessel for God, desires to do.

The purpose of fasting is to devote your attention to the Lord, especially when making significant decisions. It is a worshipful act of dedication but does not guarantee clarity in decision-making or make a decision unquestionable.

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