"CONSCIENCE": THAT MOST INTRIGUING, MYSTERIOUS, WONDROUS, THING!

IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE HEART AND

CONSCIENCE? IS THE CONSCIENCE LOCATED WITHIN OUR HEARTS? ARE BIBLE STATEMENTS JUST METAPHORICAL?

Below are the results of my New Testament word search for "conscience."
I also searched for "heart" in both Old and New Testaments.
I used BibleGateway.com., andthe King James Bible (KJB).
I found 30 verses in the New Testament.
It is obvious this is a very important subject.
Interestingly, "conscience" is not found in the Old Testament, "heart" is used instead.
For example, in 1 Samuel 24:5:
And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.
Also, "conscience" is only used once in the Gospels -- John8 -- as shown below.
So, I will be citing a number of "heart" verses from the Bible.
I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING!
"Heart" is commonly used metaphorically.
But, God always tells the truth.
If it is just metaphorical -- isn't that less than the REAL truth.
David was a prophet and a King.
If it was NOT really his "heart" that smote him -- then it's a falsehood?
I remember reading, years ago, about, so called, "cellular memories."
It seems there have been a number of accounts involving heart transplants, where the recipients of the hearts, apparently, acquired tastes, attitudes, habits, etc., which they never had before, but, which, the donors DID HAVE.
Example -- I've heard of - new tastes for beer, for classical music, even loosing a homosexual orientation.
This stuff really got me thinking -- I don't want to be chasing urban legends.
But - in a straight read of the Bible - "heart" could indeed, be much more than a pump.
Here is one of the "cellular memory" web sites -- NEXUS.
I leave it to the reader to trace this further, if interested.
But, I have come to greatly believe that the human heart is far far more than just a pump.
I've come to suspect that our hearts are, in fact, the seat of very much, that IS us.
CAUTION: The distastefulness of serious spiritual implications has led to the "stealth" term "cellular memories," as though body cells can have memories.
I'm saying it is the dislike of things supernatural that produces this term.
My full bible search for "heart" turned up 884 in the KJB. Here are a few:
Genesis 6:5,6:
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
God is always truthful.
Luke 1:17:
And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
Luke 1:51:
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
Luke 2:19:
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Romans 10:8-11,13 (New Testament):
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Here are three verses, all from the New Testament containing BOTH "heart" and "conscience."
So, it seems they are not exactly interchangeable:
They seem to team up together somehow.
How comfortable, Hebrews 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Romans 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Romans 2:14-16 (in Context) Romans 2 (Whole Chapter)
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 1:4-6 (in Context) 1 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:21-23 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter)

In John 8, the account of the woman taken in adultery is accepted as authentic, but some think it is wrongly located in the New Testament.

Many puzzle over what Jesus Christ wrote on the ground with his finger.

But, I've found the book Counterfeit or Genuine, by David Otis Fuller to have the best explanation.

Otis also does an excellent job in dealing with the location question mentioned above.

It is NOT what Jesus wrote, so we are not told, it is THAT he wrote.

The only other time God wrote on the ground was the Ten Commandments.

When Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the two tables of stone with the Ten Commandments written with the finger of God --

-- The people were committing spiritual adultery with a golden calf they had made.

Moses threw down the two tables of commandments and smashed them.

So, the people got a PASS as it were.

Thus, the woman taken in adultery gets a PASS, because the accusers are convicted in their consciences and leave the scene.

Note: Moses went up later with two fresh stone tables and got another copy from God.

In Romans 1, it is very important we realise people do have a inner moral compass.

In 1 Corinthians we see that accurate knowledge can adjust one's conscious.

John 8:9
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
John 8:8-10 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter)

Acts 23:1
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
Acts 23:1-3 (in Context) Acts 23 (Whole Chapter)
Acts 24:16
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.
Acts 24:15-17 (in Context) Acts 24 (Whole Chapter)
Romans 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Romans 2:14-16 (in Context) Romans 2(Whole Chapter)
Romans 9:1
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Romans 9:1-3 (in Context) Romans 9 (Whole Chapter)
Romans 13:5
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Romans 13:4-6 (in Context) Romans 13(Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 8:7
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1 Corinthians 8:6-8 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 8:10
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1 Corinthians 8:9-11 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 8:12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 8 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 10:25
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
1 Corinthians 10:24-26 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 10 (Whole Chapter)

Again, we see ones conscience can be corrected by accurate knowledge, but we must be careful not to offend those who's consciences are not, and for good testimony.

Disregarding conscience can result in being shipwrecked.

1 Corinthians 10:27
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
1 Corinthians 10:26-28 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 10 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 10:28
But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
1 Corinthians 10:27-29 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 10 (Whole Chapter)
1 Corinthians 10:29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
1 Corinthians 10:28-30 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 10 (Whole Chapter)
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
2 Corinthians 1:11-13 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 1 (Whole Chapter)
2 Corinthians 4:2
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 4:1-3 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 4 (Whole Chapter)
2 Corinthians 5:11
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
2 Corinthians 5:10-12 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 5 (Whole Chapter)
1 Timothy 1:5
Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1 Timothy 1:4-6 (in Context) 1 Timothy 1(Whole Chapter)
1 Timothy 1:19
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1 Timothy 1:18-20 (in Context) 1 Timothy 1(Whole Chapter)
1 Timothy 3:9
Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:8-10 (in Context) 1 Timothy 3(Whole Chapter)

We see that the conscience can be seared with a hot iron.

This seems to be connected with continued, willful, unbelief of the truth.

The atoning power of the blood of Christ will purge our consciences to serve the Living God.

Old Testament sacrifices could not fix a bad conscience - only Christ's blood can.

Believers may have to suffer persecution wrongfully for conscience sake.

1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 Timothy 4:1-3 (in Context) 1 Timothy 4(Whole Chapter)
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day;
2 Timothy 1:2-4 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1(Whole Chapter)
Titus 1:15
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
Titus 1:14-16 (in Context) Titus 1 (Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Hebrews 9:8-10 (in Context) Hebrews 9(Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 9:14
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:13-15 (in Context) Hebrews 9(Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:2
For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.
Hebrews 10:1-3 (in Context) Hebrews 10(Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:21-23 (in Context) Hebrews 10(Whole Chapter)
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:17-19 (in Context) Hebrews 13(Whole Chapter)
1 Peter 2:19
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
1 Peter 2:18-20 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter)
1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.
1 Peter 3:15-17 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)
1 Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 3:20-22 (in Context) 1 Peter 3 (Whole Chapter)

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