I want to introduce you to a word… paranggelia (par-ang-gel-ee’-ah) which means: “an urgent command handed down from a superior officer.” The beginning part ‘para’ means “to being close beside while doing it”. This is what Paul is doing in our text today, with the word “charge”, which leads us into a very real issue within the lives of every believer: A Clear Conscience.
1 Timothy 1.18-20 says— “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
Using military language, Paul warned Timothy that he sent him out to battle armed with only two things: faith and a good conscience. He then lamented that those who laid aside these two powerful weapons “made shipwreck” of their faith. In fact, the one leads to the destruction of the other. The lack of a clear conscience is what erodes your faith, from the inside. He places a good conscience along side faith. That makes this an ultimate priority for the disciple of Christ. The scripture clearly says— “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” (Hebrews 11.6).
The displacement or “putting away” of faith is a direct result of a corrupted conscience. 1 Timothy 1.19— “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:” A good conscience is a healthy conscience. It’s one that is cleared of offenses toward God and toward man. It gives boldness and confidence in the Christians life. It is not only the secret to our confidence, it is the make-it or break-it thing. In other words— it is critical. An unclear conscience is the leading cause to a displacement (put away) of faith, which results in “shipwreck”. To understand the direness of Paul’s statement about “shipwreck” to Timothy, we have to take account of sea travel in the day he was speaking. He told Timothy that one could “shipwreck” their own “faith”. Their entire ability to please God and live the fulfilled life that Jesus designed, could be tied back to an unhealthy conscience.
God created man with a conscience as his self-judging faculty. According to Romans 2.15, God has written his word on man’s heart. So we do know the basic standard of right and wrong. Which obviously leaves us without excuse. When we violate that standard, our conscience produces guilt, which acts as the spirit’s security system. Usually it produces: fear, guilt, shame, and doubt. These are warnings of threats to the soul. On the other hand, when we have a clear conscience, we can have: assurance, peace, and joy.
Paul speaks here in verse 18 about waging a good warfare. Paul urged Timothy to fight the battle against the enemies of Christ, and the gospel. This includes the enemy within himself. Our conscience can either be our greatest aid, or our worst enemy. Jesus, Peter, John, and James all urged the Christians to have a good conscience. I think you’ll find it clear that Paul taught the most about it. He taught that he lived— “…in all good conscience before God…” (Acts 23.1). He told Timothy that the goal of the Christian life is genuine love— “…out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (1 Timothy 1.5). Here in our text today, Timothy is instructed to maintain faith “…and a good conscience” (1.19)
The word for “good” is ‘agathoss’: a strong, healthy, thing. It primarily means to be ‘cleaned out’ or ‘cleaned up’. It can be compared to good ground which has been properly cultivated, with all the rocks and weeds removed, so it can produce a good harvest. It’s usages in the New Testament means— “void of offense” in Acts 24.16. The verse in more length says— “… to have always a good conscience void of offense toward God…”. It interchanges the void of offense and good conscience as one in the same. Quite literally— ‘having nothing to strike against’ as in a smooth, not bumpy. Smooth and not bumpy in our relationship with God. Is that how it looks with you? When ministering to others, is that how it looks in their life? Maybe before we judge what’s happening in the heart of another, or give ourselves an excuse, we might want to check our relationship with God first. If that is ‘bumpy’ what do you think you will act like? An unclear conscience is so easy to spot, once youre looking for it. Paul says to Timothy here in our text to make this a prioroty. It is part of his”charge”! Focus on this son! A not bumpy conscience is a conscience which is not troubled or distressed by the guilt of previous or present actions. It’s a life, free of offenses, to God.
A clear conscience is an inner freedom of spirit with God, knowing that God is not offended by our thoughts or actions.
I’m not the Holy Spirit, but I will show you an easy example of this. It’s called— ‘floating conviction’. When things are not dealt with, with God— you get floating conviction. You need to obey God. If the Spirit says go… go. If He says stay… stay. Period. No debating, no counseling, just obey! As Jesus said— “Hear and Do” (Matthew 7). Or as James said— “doers of the word and not hears only.” If we do not obey what God says… we violate our clear conscience. It’s no longer void of offense to God. In fact, in both of those examples the result is a: “double minded” person. You good with that? The effects are: “unstable in all his ways”. You good with that? Me neither!
What if it’s not clear? If not, it will continue to drain your emotional and spiritual strength. Your faith will weaken. It will weaken you to the point, a little rock can cut the lining of your ship, shredding your chances of not only thriving, but survival. Or in the words of Paul— “shipwreck”. A good conscience serves as the rudder that steers us through the potential hazards, and away from the false security of self and the world (the shore).
Do you obey the voice of truth, or the world? No one can trump God in counsel. Spirit-led is essential! Storms will rage in this life. And they will rage more and more. The scripture says they will increase with intensity and frequency. Near the shore is where the rocks are at, which can shred the underbelly of our ship. The phrase implies a severe catastrophe, spiritually. The word itself is where we get our word ‘apostate’. A tragic loss of fellowship with our Father, therefore total loss of true spirituality. Here, Paul uses that word ‘apotheo’ as a word picture— ‘to push or thrust away’. Seems strange doesn’t it? Shipwrecks happen when you were thrust towards the rocks along the shore; but the word he picks means to push or thrust away from. Reminds me of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9 when Jesus said— “it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” It’s a devastating move to thrust away from God… you can’t. All you will do is wreck into the shore. The very thing you think you are running from is the thing you are screaming towards… catastrophe.
Paul gives two examples here to illustrate within that same church what has already occurred: Hymenaus and Alexander. Hymaneus is mentioned in 2 Timothy in connection with false teachers. In fact, Ephesus had a problem with this. They had false teachers according to 1.3–4. Paul left Timothy there as a pastor, to deal with this. Paul had them removed from the church. He said— “I delivered unto Satan”. To be put out, and therefore no longer able to enjoy the fellowship of these believers, until they repent.
Why such a harsh sentence? One, shipwrecks are devastating to all on board. This is an assault on the church of God. This is His bride (Ephesians 5). This is the people of His Holy Spirit. This blood bought body ought to be a top priority! Two, Jesus is the truth and therefore it’s personal when you abandon or twist it. Three, it’s blasphemous. This is exactly what verse 20 says. It’s the word ‘blasphemos’ which can mean: slanderous or evil speaking; not showing respect or reverence; wicked speech; an insult that shows contempt; a disregard for the holy Scriptures; a foul disposition to God; to blame God for sin; abusive language about or attributed to God.
Jesus takes these things serious. Paul takes these things serious. Timothy is now charged with doing the same, but today many churches no longer do. In verse 13 Paul admits he was once a blasphemer. He spoke evil of and slandered Jesus Christ. He was guilty of accusing, much less injuring, Jesus’ family (the church). How did he get this way? How could he justify the beatings and killings? Even in his own faith of judaism it was wrong. A seared conscience. It defiles your reasoning. It makes you double minded.
Beware! Did you see the slide towards the rocks? Don’t be the one who pushed off of, thrust away from, Jesus. Thats’ what Paul did before salvation and he warns it can happen to someone after salvation. This is the ultimate seriousness. So he ran himself into the rocks; “pricks” in his case. His conscience had been defiled with emotion and legalistic habit. Can this be said of you as well? Know anyone like this?
A clear conscience, Paul said, is the critically essential element keeping us from this catastrophe. How is yours?