Expert: Clive Heath - 12/20/2009

Question
"Hello! Thank you for your time.

My question has to do with when to trust my conscience ad how to determine if it is the LORD who is speaking to me or if it is just my mind.

As far as I know, GOD definitely speaks to us through our consciences.  John MacArthur says our conscience is a tool given to us by GOD similar to a compass that we should not ignore.  But I have been running into problems with mine and am not sure if I can fully trust mine sometimes.

As a quick intro, I was saved 4 years ago.  Now about 3 years ago I met some Witnesses from the Watchtower organization and began studying with them.  Almost immediately they introduced some of their doctrine which was completely foreign to me, but it seemed to make sense.  After much prayer and research I began to feel my conscience was telling me to become a Witness.  Now I did not become one, simply because I was afraid of what my friends and family would think, but I felt deep inside like GOD wanted me to.  I often asked for forgiveness because I felt like I was not doing what the LORD wanted me to do.  After a while I cut off my ties with them and just put trust in what a few fellow Christians were telling me to do, and i have no more association with them.

So this is one reason why I feel that I cannot trust my conscience.

And now when I feel like GOD is speaking to me, I don't know if I can trust what I feel.  For instance now I feel like GOD is telling me HE does not want me to exercise.  I am a 26 year old man who likes to be active and in shape, and to be feeling like this is very difficult for me to handle because I enjoy exercising.  Maybe 20-35 minutes a day on average, just to keep myself ya know?  But when I read about the rich young ruler who refused to give up his riches to follow CHRIST, I know I don't want to be like that.  And to be honest, i have been feeling like I have been gaining wisdom and perspective by not exercising, and trying to focus on the things above, not on this earth (Col. 3:1).  But I just feel like it just may be in my head.

SO if you can, please give me your perspective.  Maybe I just need to bounce my thoughts off fellow Christians and trust what they say when I am up in the air about something.

But GOD bless and I look forward to your response!!"

Answer
Hi John,

Hope you are well and I will do my best to answer this question for you.

We sometimes get confused as to what is God's will and our will, bearing in mind that God gave us all a free will. Conscience is a very funny emotion, but like all emotions and feelings we need it in our walk through life.
We have to respect the Witnesses beliefs and I think this is what happened to you, to such an extent you got drawn into them.

I think your decision not to join them was a joint one between youself and God, your conscience is telling you that you let the Witnesses down, but you did not, your true belief is that of a Christian, so you can trust your conscience.

God does not want you to stop exercising, a healthy body helps us to have a healthy mind, there is no comparison between you and the rich young ruler, being fit is not the same as being wealthy. Gaining wisdom and perspective  does not come by not exercising but by growing older and learning and this my friend is what is happening to you, no more no less!

John, do not worry we all get tested at times, you have nothing to worry about, enjoy being a Christian and enjoy being fit, what a great combination!


I hope this helps.


God Bless

Clive Heath