UNDERSTANDING CONSCIENCE.

In Greek literature, the word 'Conscience' comes from the root verb 'Sunoida,' sun=with; oida=I know. When it is used in a reflexive sense for self-assessment of ones own deeds it is clear how the connection with 'conscience' arises. The apostle Paul expresses the operation of his conscience in this manner: "My conscience bears witness with me in holt spirit." (Romans 9:1)
The Hebrew language has no specific word for it, using instead 'the language of the heart.' The Hebrew perspective about it is that one's moral awareness is not an autonomous psychological category of person-hood, rather, it is the willingness 'to Obey the Commands of GOD.'
Conscience is inherent in man, having been made part of him by GOD. It is an inward realization or sense of right and wrong that excuses or accuses one. Hence conscience judges. Conscience also can be trained by the thoughts and acts, convictions and rules that are implanted in a person's mind by study and experience. Based on these things conscience makes a comparison with the course of action being taken or contemplated. Then it sounds a warning when the rules and the course conflict, unless the conscience is 'seared,' made unfeeling by continued violations of its warnings.
Conscience can be a moral safety device, in that it imparts pleasure and inflicts pain for one's own good and bad conduct.
From the very beginning man has had a conscience. The first couple manifested this as soon as they broke GOD's Law and hid themselves: "Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons. And they heard the sound of the Lord GOD walking in the garden in the cool of the Day and the man and his wife his themselves from the Presence of the Lord GOD among the trees of the garden." (Genesis 3: 7-8)
Conscience must be enlightened; if not, it can deceive. It is an unsafe guide if it has not been trained in right standards, according to the TRUTH. Its development can be wrongly influenced by local environment, customs, worship and habits. It might judge matters as right or wrong by these incorrect standards or values. King David sets an example of this, as one of the saddest episodes of his life, when in his continued campaign against the Amorites, he felt himself terrible exhausted, spiritually and mentally. To recover, he just stayed in his room that day resting instead of going to battle. Then it all began when the king upon observing from his rooftop a beautiful woman, Bath-Sheba, bathing herself, entertained wrong desires. The Letter of James claims :"Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the Test he will receive the Crown of Life which GOD has promised to those who Love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by GOD,' for GOD cannot be tempted with evil and HE Himself tempts no one; but each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown brings forth death." (James 1:12-15)
Conscience has not been wiped out among non-Christians, because all mankind descended from the first couple and through the line of Noah, in whom conscience was inherent. Many Laws of the Nations are in harmony with a Christian's conscience, yet such nations and lawmakers may not have been influenced by Christianity at all. Laws were according to the leadings of their own consciences.
In Romans 2:13-16 we read: "For it is not the hearers of the Law who are righteous before GOD, but the doers of the Law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the Law do by nature what the Law requires, they are a Law to themselves, even though they do not have the Law. They show that what the Law requires is written in their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that Day when, according to my gospel, GOD judges the secrets of men by CHRIST JESUS."
Conscience properly trained only by the WORD OF GOD can correctly assess and set matters of life thoroughly straight. In the Letter to the Hebrews, chapter 2, we read: "Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the WORD OF GOD is living and active, sharper than any two-edged Sword, piercing to the Division of Soul and Spirit, of joints and marrow, and Discerning the Thoughts and Intentions of the Heart. And before Him no creatures is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the Eyes of Him with Whom we have to do." (2: 11-13)