Man has a conscience, and when merely knowing that he has done what is evil, he has a defiled conscience (Titus 1:15). When he judges himself to be guilty in the sight of God, he has an evil conscience (Heb. 10:22). When, however, through believing God’s testimony concerning the blood of His Son, he is assured by God’s Word that he has remission of sins, he has a purged conscience — “how much more shall the blood of Christ purge your conscience” (Heb. 9:14). After this, in walking in obedience to the Word of God, he has a good conscience; he has the intuitive perception that he is doing God’s will, and he has the testimony that he pleases God. Happy are those who exercise themselves in keeping a conscience void of offense both toward God and toward men (Acts 24:16).
C. H. Mackintosh