What is conscience? It is from two words: “Con” = Dual and “Science”= Knowledge. 

The concept of conscience means something that has dual perception. The conscience can speak from the part of the heart that leans to the spirit or it can speak from the part that leans to the mind. So if you are more conscious of your faults and mistakes and the sins in your life, you will keep producing more of it. The way of change is to choose another consciousness. To move from sin-consciousness to righteousness consciousness requires you to change your frame of reference – to see yourself the way God sees you.

So how do I have a healthy conscience?

1 John 3:20: Whenever our hearts make us feel guilty and remind us of our failures, we know that God is much greater and more merciful than our conscience, and he knows everything there is to know about us.

The voice that God is speaking to you even when you feel guilty or you are reminded of your failures is mercy and our identity in Jesus. There is a higher courtroom for the human heart: it is where grace is enthroned. The very worst that is in us is known by God and he still showers mercy, love, and acceptance upon us. This is the greatness of God’s grace. He sees beyond the sin of a moment and sees the holy affections of love in those who refuse to turn away from him. 

1 John 3:21: My delightfully loved friends, when our hearts don’t condemn us, we have a bold freedom to speak face-to-face with God.

Since we know God’s view of us, our hearts don’t condemn us. We are no longer under condemnation and when we feel free from a sense of condemnation, that is when we feel free to speak to God face-to-face.

 22 And whatever we ask of him we receive,[aa] because we keep his commands. And by our beautiful intentions[ab] we continue to do what brings pleasure to him.

We are able to receive answers to prayers because we don’t feel condemned. We are not short-circuiting our prayers by a feeling of unworthiness or sin-consciousness.