# Conscience ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The interior voice of a human being, within whose heart the inner law of God is inscribed. Moral conscience is a judgment of practical reason about the moral quality of a human action. It moves a person at the appropriate moment to do good and to avoid evil ([[3.1.1.6.p5z#^ccc-1777|1777]]-[[3.1.1.6.p5z#^ccc-1778|1778]]). An _examination of conscience_ is recommended as a preparation for the reception of the Sacrament of Penance ([[2.2.2.4.p4d#^ccc-1454|1454]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible ### Word Study *Conscience* ([[1-timothy-01#^1-timothy-01-19|1 Tim 1:19]]) – *Syneidēsis* (Gk): "moral consciousness". The term is used six times in the Pastoral Epistles and 24 times in the rest of the NT. It refers to a hidden law in the heart that obliges us to do good and avoid evil ([[romans-02#^romans-02-15|Rom 2:15]]). As an interior judge, it either approves our actions as praiseworthy ([[2-corinthians-01#^2-corinthians-01-12|2 Cor 1:12]]) or accuses us of sins committed ([[wisdom-17#^wisdom-17-11|Wis 17:11]]). Habitual sin can cause the voice of conscience to be muffled over time, making sinners responsible for their own inability to distinguish right from wrong ([[titus-01#^titus-01-15|Tit 1:15]]). Conversely, to serve God with a good or clear conscience is to listen to its guidance and act in accord with its directives ([[acts-of-the-apostles-24#^acts-of-the-apostles-24-16|Acts 24:16]]; [[hebrews-13#^hebrews-13-18|Heb 13:18]]). Baptism plays an important part in this, as it gives us a new start by cleansing our conscience of past failures ([[hebrews-10#^hebrews-10-22|Heb 10:22]]; [[1-peter-03#^1-peter-03-21|1 Pet 3:21]]). For Paul, our concern for conscience must also extend to our neighbor. He warns that when Christians act irresponsibly, they can cause the consciences of weaker believers to be wounded ([[1-corinthians-08#^1-corinthians-08-12|1 Cor 8:12]]; [[1-corinthians-10#^1-corinthians-10-27|10:27-29]]) (CCC 1776-89). #### Source [[15-first-timothy-commentary#^2agfuh|Conscience — word study]] ### Index of Doctrines **Conscience** Basis for action: [[1-timothy-01#^1-timothy-01-19|1 Tim 1:19]] Conscience must be informed by the Word of God: [[luke-06#^luke-06-47|Lk 6:47-48]]; [[2-timothy-01#^2-timothy-01-13|2 Tim 1:13-14]] Good conscience gives confidence before God: [[acts-of-the-apostles-24#^acts-of-the-apostles-24-16|Acts 24:16]]; [[2-corinthians-01#^2-corinthians-01-12|2 Cor 1:12]]; [[1-timothy-03#^1-timothy-03-9|1 Tim 3:9]]; [[1-john-03#^1-john-03-21|1 Jn 3:21]]; [[hebrews-13#^hebrews-13-18|Heb 13:18]]; [[1-peter-03#^1-peter-03-16|1 Pet 3:16, 21]] Not an absolute standard: [[1-corinthians-04#^1-corinthians-04-3|1 Cor 4:3-5]]; [[titus-01#^titus-01-15|Tit 1:15]]; [[hebrews-09#^hebrews-09-14|Heb 9:14]]; [[hebrews-10#^hebrews-10-22|10:22]] Respect for the consciences of others: [[1-corinthians-08#^1-corinthians-08-7|1 Cor 8:7-13]]; [[1-corinthians-10#^1-corinthians-10-25|10:25-29]] Standard by which God will condemn or excuse: [[john-09#^john-09-40|Jn 9:40-41]]; [[john-15#^john-15-22|15:22-23]]; ; [[romans-02#^romans-02-15|Rom 2:15]] #### See Also [[ignorance]] #### Source [[index-of-doctrines|Index of Doctrines]]