“My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” – (1 Cor. 4:4, NIV)
Conscience is subjective. Sometimes, a person’s conscience may be clear, but this does not mean that the person is innocent (Apostle Eric Nyamekye). People can commit unethical or harmful acts without malicious intent or awareness that their actions are wrong. They genuinely believe their actions are justified, even though they are objectively causing harm. This article explores this oxymoron of life using biblical illustrations.
What is Evil?
Evil is generally seen as immorality, wickedness, and actions that cause harm or undermine the moral foundations of the world. The concept is broadly categorized as either natural evil or moral evil (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2022). Evil is not just a personal or individual problem but a social and relational one. At its core, evil involves a lack of conscience, an inability or unwillingness to recognize moral truth and act accordingly. It disregards moral accountability.
The Hebrew word for “evil” is רַע (ra’), which encompasses a range of destructive, displeasing, and harmful attitudes, actions, and circumstances that contradict God’s envisioned goodness and peace.
Causes of Doing Evil Innocently
- Limited understanding of the mind of God.
- Ignorance of our weaknesses and limitations.
- Cultural backgrounds and dogmatic indoctrinations.
- Hallucinations and stereotyping of certain groups.
- Conservative ideologies.
Often, people defend their actions proudly, only to realize later that they were wrong. This happens because one can be sincerely wrong due to a lack of complete knowledge. In the sight of God, sin is sin, whether it is an error of omission or commission.
Biblical Characters
These biblical figures acted with a clear conscience but were regarded as living in sin before the Lord.
Old Testament Examples
- Abraham and King Abimelek (Gen. 20:3-6): Abimelek took Sarah, believing she was Abraham’s sister. God intervened, acknowledging Abimelek’s clear conscience but preventing him from sinning.
- King Saul (1 Sam. 13:7-13): Saul performed a burnt offering himself when Samuel delayed. Though his intentions were good, he disobeyed God’s command.
- King David (2 Sam. 12:1-12): David judged a rich man in Nathan’s story, not realizing he was condemning himself for his own hidden sins.
- Uzzah (2 Sam. 6:6-7): Uzzah tried to steady the Ark of the Covenant, but his irreverent act led to his death.
New Testament Examples
- Apostle Paul (Acts 9:1-5): Paul persecuted the early church, believing he was protecting God’s law. It took divine intervention to realign him.
- Jewish Leaders (1 Cor. 2:8): They crucified Jesus, believing they were upholding their traditions, not realizing they were condemning themselves.
Lessons to Conclude
The concept of evil is complex. People can do “evil” things innocently if they operate under erroneous suppositions or irresistible constraints. Despite the presence of evildoers, God’s church stands firm, emphasizing divine sovereignty and human responsibility (2 Timothy 2:19):
“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his,’ and, ‘Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.’”
Everyone needs to align their conscience with the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s law without committing sin innocently.
Written by Pastor Daniel Antwi-Adjei, Dome New Town District, Haatso Area
