The editor in your head: God’s gift of conscience and conviction …

Many years ago, I was a newspaper reporter. I worked a mix of news beats requiring a variety of writing styles — straight news, investigative articles, feature stories, sports, even editorials — pretty much the gamut of news writing. Then I became a “desk editor” with the responsibility of designing (doing the layouts), proofreading, and editing multiple weekly newspapers. Long after I left working in the newspaper business, I couldn’t sit down with a newspaper and just read it. I noticed the layout design, the quality of the writing, the font selection and type size used, the addition of photos and graphics, the word choices of writers, etc. I did this because there was still an “editor in my head” pointing out to me what was “right” and what was “wrong” about this newspaper.

In a similar way, we as Christians have been gifted by God with an “editor in our heads.” You may have noticed this editor subtly working in the background of your thoughts while watching a movie or streaming a show, and you suddenly realize you’re sitting there telling yourself the main character shouldn’t make such a choice because it would be sinful. But the editor in our head isn’t just for movies, television, or the vast amount of media we stream online. It’s also active in all aspects of our lives especially our relationships — like when the boss tells you to fudge the numbers or “stretch” a guarantee to a client, or when gossiping about a colleague feels tempting. This internal voice, our conscience, helps us discern right from wrong and align our thoughts and actions with God’s truth.

THE ESSENTIAL VALUE OF THE “EDITOR IN YOUR HEAD”
God has equipped us with an internal guide, a conscience that helps us discern right from wrong. This “editor” works alongside the Holy Spirit, constantly helping to align our thoughts and actions with God’s truth. Romans 2:15 tells us, “They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” This internal editor acts as a moral compass, steering us away from sin and toward righteousness.

When we watch a secular movie or television show, it can be easy to get caught up in the emotions and narratives presented — have you ever caught yourself wanting to “root” for the bad guy? However, the editor in our head helps us filter these messages through the lens of God’s Word. It prompts us to question whether what we’re seeing or hearing aligns with the teachings of the Bible. As Hebrews 13:18 says, “Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.”

But beyond media consumption, the editor in our head is active in various aspects of our lives. It cautions us against engaging in gossip, encourages us to be truthful even when it’s inconvenient, and prompts us to act with integrity in all situations. This internal guide helps us navigate complex social and ethical situations, ensuring our actions reflect our faith.

WHY WE NEED THIS EDITOR
The world’s values can subtly influence our thoughts and behaviors if we’re not vigilant. Without the editor in our head, we risk internalizing messages that lead us away from God’s path. The conscience, guided by the Holy Spirit, helps us remain rooted in truth, even when we are exposed to contrary ideas.

Ephesians 4:30 warns us, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” By listening to our conscience, we honor the Holy Spirit and maintain our identity as children of God.

DIFFERENTIATING CONSCIENCE FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT
The editor in our head serves multiple crucial functions but cannot do for us what the Holy Spirit can. Key is learning to harmonize (and yield!) our conscience with the work the Holy Spirit is doing within us. That integration looks something like this:

Discernment: Our conscience helps us evaluate our thoughts and actions based on moral principles we have learned from Scripture and our upbringing. It prompts us to recognize and understand these standards of right and wrong. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth (John 16:13), enabling us to understand God’s Word deeply and apply it accurately in our lives.

Feelings of guilt v. conviction and repentance: When we violate moral standards or God’s commands, our conscience may stir feelings of guilt, prompting us to examine our actions. This sense of guilt can lead us to recognize and acknowledge our wrongdoing. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8), leading individuals to acknowledge their need for repentance and reconciliation. The Holy Spirit enables us to see and comprehend God’s truth, and empowers us to obey it with clarity and wisdom.

Moral compass: Our conscience acts like a moral compass, evaluating our thoughts, actions, and decisions against the standards of integrity and righteousness we’ve learned from Scripture and our upbringing. It helps us recognize and apply ethical norms and biblical teachings in our daily lives. While our conscience prompts moral judgments based on our understanding, it’s the Holy Spirit who actively guides us into all truth (John 16:13), providing divine insight and wisdom to understand God’s Word deeply and apply it accurately in our lives.

Protection and guidance: Our conscience alerts us to potential moral pitfalls by prompting us to evaluate our thoughts, actions, and decisions against biblical principles and personal convictions. It serves as a reminder to uphold integrity and righteousness in our conduct. The Holy Spirit protects believers from spiritual harm by empowering them to resist temptation and live holy lives (Ephesians 1:13-14).

ADDRESSING COMPLEX ETHICAL SITUATIONS
In our complex world, we often face challenging ethical dilemmas. Our conscience can be challenged, and it is crucial to seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit and counsel from godly leaders and members of our church during these times. However, the ultimate guide in these situations is always God’s Word, along with the Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth.

When confronted with difficult decisions, we should pray for discernment and immerse ourselves in Scripture to ensure our actions align with God’s will. James 1:5 encourages us, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” While the church community can provide valuable counsel, it should always be measured against the truth of the Bible.

THE DANGER OF IGNORING THE EDITOR IN YOUR HEAD
Ignoring the editor in your head can have serious consequences for our spiritual well-being. When we dismiss the promptings of our conscience, we risk hardening our hearts and becoming desensitized to sin. 1 Timothy 4:2 speaks of those “whose consciences are dead,” warning us of the danger of neglecting our internal moral compass.

Moreover, neglecting our conscience can lead to a gradual drift away from God. James 4:17 reminds us, “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” By consistently tuning out the editor in our head, we can find ourselves embracing values and behaviors that are contrary to God’s will, ultimately leading us back to sin.

CULTIVATING A SENSITIVE CONSCIENCE
To ensure that our internal editor remains effective, we must cultivate a sensitive conscience. This involves:

Regular Bible study: Immersing ourselves in God’s Word so that we can discern truth from falsehood. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

Prayer: Seeking God’s guidance and asking the Holy Spirit to keep our conscience tender and responsive. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Fellowship: Fostering close and deep fellowship with other disciples of Jesus Christ in a local church who can support and challenge us to stay true to our faith. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

CONCLUSION
The editor in your head is an invaluable gift from God, designed to help us navigate a world filled with conflicting messages. Pay attention to it and learn to harmonize your conscience with the supreme guidance of God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

Scotty