Conscience
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the conscience is not always a reliable guide; it can mislead a person if not enlightened by divine truth. A mistaken conscience can justify sin and make one feel at peace while committing evil—like the doctor who aborts a baby thinking he acts mercifully, the mother who lies to protect her children, or the student who cheats under the pretext of helping.
⚖️ Types of Conscience
His Holiness identifies three types of conscience:
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The Good Conscience, which is balanced and disciplined, like a pharmacist’s scale—this was the conscience of St. Paul before God.
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The Broad Conscience, which excuses sins under the guise of leniency or humor.
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The Narrow or Scrupulous Conscience, which sees sin where there is none and burdens the soul unjustly.
📖 What Influences the Conscience
The conscience can be shaped by beliefs, traditions, desires, knowledge, mentors, and one’s environment. False faith or social customs can lead to murder or revenge; desires may silence the conscience; and even mentors can mold it according to their own outlook rather than God’s truth.
🌿 Distinguishing Conscience from Will
Conscience only guides—it does not force. Like a traffic light, it signals but cannot compel obedience. The will chooses whether to follow or not, and thus must be led by divine grace.
✨ The Role of God’s Grace
Grace intervenes to redirect a person’s path but never compels; it invites freely. Whoever accepts grace walks in truth, while the one who refuses it goes astray.
🌸 Spiritual Essence
A good conscience must be sanctified by truth and enlightened by the Holy Spirit. It should be free from the influence of desires, customs, and human reasoning. It is not enough to have a conscience—it must be a conscience guided by grace and divine wisdom.
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