Conscience Trained in Christ
“The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, illuminating the path of Christ.”
(Reflections on E. Stanley Jones' "In Christ")
E. Stanley Jones reminds us that speaking the truth is not enough—we must speak the truth in Christ. It is only when our conscience bears witness in the Holy Spirit that we can be assured we are walking in truth. Left to itself, conscience is unreliable because it is shaped by whatever standards have been impressed upon it. A Hindu’s conscience may approve of caste, while a Christian’s conscience, shaped differently, disapproves of it. This contrast reveals that conscience alone is not a safe guide; it must be trained by the Holy Spirit in Christ.
Many moral codes—even within the church—reflect cultural, social, or economic biases rather than the mind of Christ. Therefore, believers must yield their conscience to the Holy Spirit’s shaping. Jesus promised, “He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” Only the Spirit of God can rightly interpret truth, align our conscience with Christ, and keep us from being led astray by human wisdom masquerading as moral authority. Without this divine training, we risk being deceived—even by religious-sounding advice that contradicts God’s heart.
Jones gives a shocking example of a psychiatrist advising a wife to accept her husband’s adultery as though it were a balanced arrangement. This worldly reasoning disregards the holiness of marriage, yet it was presented as scientific and even moral counsel. The Holy Spirit, however, does not conform to the world’s distorted values—He renews our minds and aligns our consciences with the righteousness of Christ. Our confidence must be in Him, not in cultural morality or human logic.
Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture Only
I have given you the Spirit of truth, and He will guide you into all truth. He does not speak on His own authority but declares to you what is from Me. My words are Spirit and life, shaping your heart and renewing your mind. You have the mind of Christ, for I have given you the Helper who teaches you all things and brings to remembrance all that I have spoken.
Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern My will—what is good and acceptable and perfect. Let My peace rule in your heart, for I have called you to live in My righteousness, not in the shifting opinions of men. I am the Shepherd who leads you in paths of righteousness for My name’s sake. The wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Test everything, hold fast to what is good. Abide in My Word, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. My Spirit bears witness with your spirit that you are My child, and you have an anointing from the Holy One, so you know the truth. Trust in My voice, for I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(Scriptural references: John 16:13, John 6:63, 1 Corinthians 2:16, John 14:26, Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:15, Psalm 23:3, James 3:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, John 8:31-32, Romans 8:16, 1 John 2:20, John 14:6)
Prayer
Father, I trust You as the source of all truth. Your Spirit has been given to lead me into all wisdom, aligning my conscience with the mind of Christ. I rest in the confidence that You are shaping my thoughts, my discernment, and my convictions to reflect Your heart. I will not rely on the shifting opinions of men, nor will I allow culture to dictate what is right. Instead, I abide in Your truth, knowing that Your Spirit illuminates my path and confirms what is good, acceptable, and perfect. Thank You for setting me apart in truth—Your Word is truth. Amen.
Ideal Image: A sunrise breaking through fog over a mountain path, symbolizing divine guidance clearing the confusion of human reasoning.
Credits:
Devotional insights from In Christ by E. Stanley Jones.
Photo credit: Unsplash.