Maintain a healthy conscience by reading Scripture, praying, obeying God, and confessing sin promptly.

For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

The Lord has given you a conscience for your protection. To develop and trust this warning system, you must be committed to taking certain actions:

• Apply the Word of God. As you put into practice “the perfect law that gives freedom” (James 1:25 NIV), your conscience will grow stronger because you know God’s heart better.
• Arrive at decisions through prayer. Instead of making a choice because it sounds good, bring every issue to God in prayer.
• Agree to obey God. When you desire to function God’s way, you’ll consistently ask, what does He want me to do? This practice will enable you to discern and follow the Spirit’s lead.
• Acquire a sensitivity to the Spirit’s conviction. As believers, we are no longer condemned, so we must recognize the difference between conviction and condemnation. The Spirit always shows us exactly what in our life requires repentance—He doesn’t give us a sense of vague guilt.
• Abandon yourself to God’s will. Commit daily to be a “living sacrifice” and your conscience will steer you closer to the Lord. As you renew your thinking, you’ll “test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).