219: Sprinkled from an Evil Conscience

219: Sprinkled from an Evil Conscience

Although we are near to God, so close that He is in us and we are in Him, there are times when we draw near in the sense that we intentionally worship Him, talk to Him, and ask Him questions. We don’t have to worry that He will condemn us for our sin. In fact, He’s there to help us by reminding us that we are still holy, righteous, and redeemed.

“…and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience.” (Hebrews 10:21-22)

An “evil conscience” will give us the sense that we aren’t worthy to be near Him. Take those thoughts captive!¹ Never fear that God is angry with you or that He would ever leave you.² He will never leave you nor forsake you.³ He will abide with you forever.⁴ The word “evil” is the Greek word “poneros,” and it means “full of labors, annoyances, hardships, pressed and harassed by labors.”⁵ An evil conscience is one that is full of displeasure, adversity, oppression, and worn out from self-effort because faith has not yet come or faith has been clouded by unbelief. An evil conscience is one that will keep us from drawing near to God until we somehow clean up our lives. But now that we can enjoy the Holiest because of the blood, and we should have a debt-free, labor-free, hardship-free, hassle-free, guilt-free righteousness-conscience born out of rest in His righteousness given to us as a free gift.

(from page 319 of Unveiling Jesus)

Want more from Tricia Gunn? Check out excerpts from the Unveiling Jesus 20-part series!

Unveiling Jesus, by Tricia Gunn, is a verse by verse study of the pure gospel of grace. It’s an amazing journey of love, identity, and freedom in Christ.

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¹2 Corinthians 10:5
²Isaiah 54:9
³Hebrews 13:5
⁴John 14:6
⁵G4190 (ponēros), Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, website: http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/Lexicon/Lexicon.cfm?strongs=G4190&t=KJV, accessed 6-11-14