And keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.

1 Peter 3:16

I am sure you are aware of Martin Luther’s famous quote from the Diet of Worms about his conscience being captive to the Word of God and going against one’s conscience is never safe, wise, or right. Our conscience is that inward voice that convicts and corrects. God has given us a conscience, that is why we, unlike animals, know the difference between good and evil. Even the vilest of sinners has a conscience albeit almost dead.

Sin weakens our sense of morality and we become desensitised to righteousness as a result. However, no matter how wicked we become, that prod of conscience remains. No matter how much strong the drink, immorality, and company of loved ones, nothing can cleanse the conscience. The conscience convicts us guilty before God. Still, men and women continue in sin with no regard. Many people believe that time will erode the guilt they feel, but still no relief. There is no comfort to purge your burden outside of Christ. Cry unto the Lord, confess your sins, repent, and believe. And if you repent and confess your sin before God, you just like the pilgrim in Bunyan’s famous work, will see your burden roll away. Your chains will be broken, and you will be free, free indeed in Christ Jesus. Only Christ can cleanse the conscience. Guilt is dealt with at the Cross of Christ.

Do not harden your heart, get to the root of the problem; address your sin. Whatever is troubling you take it to the Lord in prayer. Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 3:9 to have a clean conscience before the Lord. Do not rage against the conflict of conscience. Christ is the cure, not the curse. He can and will take care of all our needs.