Series: Genesis April 10, 2005

Message: “The Power of a Guilty Conscience” Genesis 42:1-38

Big Idea: A guilty conscience does not go away with time; it only goes

away when there has been confession, repentance and forgiveness.

I. THE CONSCIENCE – A BIBLICAL VIEW

A. Definition: An inner witness to moral responsibility, or a

measure of agreement between our conduct and our values.

B. Described: weak, defiled, evil, sacred, pure, good, beautiful

C. Detailed:

1. EVERYONE has a conscience.

2. Everyone’s conscience has been DISTORTED by the fall.

3. Everyone’s conscience can be RENEWED.

II. THE AWAKENING OF A GUILTY CONSCIENCE

A. FACTORS in awakening a guilty conscience vs. 1-21

1. Association of the PLACE vs. 1,2

2. Association of CIRCUMSTANCES vs. 3-5

3. Association of TREATMENT vs. 6-21

a. Speaks HARSHLY

b. False ACCUSATION

c. Refusal to LISTEN

d. IMPRISONS them

B. EFFECTS of a guilty conscience vs. 22-38

1. It can lead to RATIONALIZATION

2. It can bring CONVICTION

3. It can ALTER one’s life

III. APPLICATION

A. Nothing is more WEIGHTY than a guilty conscience.

B. The way to take care of a guilty conscience is REPENTANCE.

C. When there is no repentance God promises two things:

1. The continuing CONVICTION of God’s Spirit

2. The DISCIPLINING grace of God

**Please be prayerful and quiet as we come to the end of our study.

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring life change in response to the Word. **