Our conscience? - can I pick your mind

  • Thread starter Thread starter anytimequilter
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
A

anytimequilter

Guest
I grew up Catholic so I have grown up knowing right from wrong and I do have a conscience. Sometimes my conscience is a little more sensitive than other peoples and sometimes its the other way around

I am growing older - - or should I say “more mature” and I find myself thinking more about what is my “conscience” I apologize if this is a topic previously discussed… I must have missed it 🙂

When I was little my conscience told me right from wrong. If I lied, cheated on a test or was mean to someone I felt bad. I thought of it as a “moral conscience”. Like examine your conscience before confession.

Now as I am older, I don’t do as many selfish things. I am far from perfect mind you… but I don’t feel the need to lie or be mean to others. I generally want to do the right thing

Now I hear things like “let your conscience be your guide” and wonder if that means more than morally right and wrong. Maybe its what is “right for me”. I don’t mean deciding between right and wrong… but deciding when neither option is wrong.

I am there now - - sort of torn between things and none of them are wrong… but I am in a bit of a struggle. I was reading and found article on cognitive dissonance - conflicting thoughts and our inability to “change” our minds and/or actions. I wondered if that was part of our conscience. Like God is trying to tell us something, but our minds won’t accept or can’t understand

Does this make sense? Does anyone have any thoughts ?
 
anytimequilter said:
I grew up Catholic so I have grown up knowing right from wrong and I do have a conscience. Sometimes my conscience is a little more sensitive than other peoples and sometimes its the other way around

I am growing older - - or should I say “more mature” and I find myself thinking more about what is my “conscience” I apologize if this is a topic previously discussed… I must have missed it 🙂

When I was little my conscience told me right from wrong. If I lied, cheated on a test or was mean to someone I felt bad. I thought of it as a “moral conscience”. Like examine your conscience before confession.

Now as I am older, I don’t do as many selfish things. I am far from perfect mind you… but I don’t feel the need to lie or be mean to others. I generally want to do the right thing

Now I hear things like “let your conscience be your guide” and wonder if that means more than morally right and wrong. Maybe its what is “right for me”. I don’t mean deciding between right and wrong… but deciding when neither option is wrong.

I am there now - - sort of torn between things and none of them are wrong… but I am in a bit of a struggle. I was reading and found article on cognitive dissonance - conflicting thoughts and our inability to “change” our minds and/or actions. I wondered if that was part of our conscience. Like God is trying to tell us something, but our minds won’t accept or can’t understand

Does this make sense? Does anyone have any thoughts ?
Click to expand...
Your conscience is your informed mind, informed with the truths of your faith which teaches your the morality of human conduct taught by the church. Morality deals with the right and wrong of human conduct, ethics. An erroneous conscience is one that is not guided by the moral laws, a lack of knowledge regarding the truth, mis-informed. It also deals with justice and fairness towards our neighbor. It’s that still small voice in one’s mind that says “that isn’t the right thing to do, or that is the right thing to do” Even if one did not have the Faith, there is the golden rule of treating one as one would want to be treated. There is knowledge of the Natural Law which appeals to common sense in civil society which guides one in human behavior. All these things help to inform one’s mind, or conscience. To decide what choices to make disregarding a moral decision, one would have to have know what has more priority, and this requires wisdom, reason, knowledge when it comes to a good or better choice. It depends on the situation.
 
Your conscience is the wisdom of your Guardian Angel.
Your guardian is guiding you right from wrong,
if you are stuck or (as you say) “torn between things
and none of them are wrong,” it may well be that your
guardian is leaving it up to you.
Freedom of choice between two good things is not
something he will use your conscience for.

Like choosing between chocolate or strawberry ice-cream,
you may be split on which to choose and this is frustrating,
but it is not (in my humble opinion) a problem for the conscience.

(not knowing what type of problems they are, makes it hard to nail this down)
but, If it is possible to do so, choose one now and the other later.
either way, I can promise you that your Angel is smiling from ear to ear,
whilst watching you wrestle with your own decisions.
😃

I hope this helps.
:tiphat:
 
When it is between more than one “right” instead of right v wrong, it is no longer a matter of conscience.

It is about strategy. Lacking that, it is about being “guided by the Spirit” if you can get that working. At a “spiritual discernment” seminar they said that it is not between right and wrong; this is a differrent thing.

Kind of like a hunch but seems more real when it seems more real … hard to describe but it just seems like this way or that is best sometimes, and I end up happy with the result so who can say where the other choice would have led? Maybe better, maybe not, but at least we did something.
 
Anytimequilter, you never mentioned if you PRAYED about this,
the Lord is perhaps waiting for you to ASK HIM about what is
making you “feel uneasy”! After all, the Holy Spirit is our true
guide and He WILL show us what is wrong when we are in
“two minds”! As one poster said, WE ultimately discern what
God’s will for us is(Rom. 12:2)!
 
Mystical_Seeker said:
When it is between more than one “right” instead of right v wrong, it is no longer a matter of conscience.

It is about strategy. Lacking that, it is about being “guided by the Spirit” if you can get that working. At a “spiritual discernment” seminar they said that it is not between right and wrong; this is a differrent thing.

Kind of like a hunch but seems more real when it seems more real … hard to describe but it just seems like this way or that is best sometimes, and I end up happy with the result so who can say where the other choice would have led? Maybe better, maybe not, but at least we did something.
Click to expand...
The church says we should follow our conscience, so if something is said to be “wrong” but my conscience thinks it’s “right” and I am happy, then it is right for me, but if I don’t choose what I think is right because I’m told it’s wrong, and I’m not happy, is it right to go against ones own conscience, sort of sit on the fence, because of fear in making a mistake?
Hope that makes some sense…
 
When we can not decide what way to go between two good choices, we should trust in God to guide us and make the best choice we can make. If we do this, not matter what decision we make, God will make it come out right for us. It would be easy if we knew what God wanted us to choose, but if we are confused than this is a God designed plan to advance you in the virtue of trust.
 
Thank you all for your thoughts… I appreciate the (name removed by moderator)ut
but, If it is possible to do so, choose one now and the other later.
Click to expand...
I agree and I have done this… and while it appeases at the time, later I am in the same situation of what to do. Its not a do it one time and that’s it… you know like trying to decide what to say in a given circumstance or how much to donate to a given cause - those you make decision then you act and you can cross it off the list. My situation won’t let go of me.
Anytimequilter, you never mentioned if you PRAYED about this,
the Lord is perhaps waiting for you to ASK HIM about what is
making you “feel uneasy”! After all, the Holy Spirit is our true
guide and He WILL show us what is wrong when we are in
“two minds”! As one poster said, WE ultimately discern what
God’s will for us is(Rom. 12:2)!
Click to expand...
I appreciate this and would love to hear more of you know when God will show me 🙂 I have prayed … the funny thing is that is exactly linked to what I am being torn about. As simple as it seems, I am torn about when to go to the adoration chapel… I know you are laughing 🙂 But there is a time I would like to go, but I am not sure if that is what God wants me to do.
 
If YOU are in doubt as to what God wants you
to do, is GOD also confused?? Of course not,
the only reason you are in a quandary about this
means there is a BLOCKAGE in communication
and communion with the Holy Trinity! Do a
search of conscience and ASK God to SHOW
you what is keeping you from “seeing”.
In MY case, the Lord has led me to be more
FOCUSED in my sight/faith, I was torn between
affection for God and affection for worldly pleasures,
God showed me my eyes of faith were darkness,
and to be single in my devotion to Him! Matt. 6:24ff
 
Anytimequilter:
Only you can answer this; if you find yourself in this state of indecision often, it may be a sign of an “anxiety neurosis”, simply put, a bad habit of worry, perhaps based on insecurity. The answer is practice more trust in God, and make a firm decision in your choice, not based on the security of your knowledge, but on the goodness of God who loves you. Also get priorities straight in your mind based on the whole purpose of life, union with God and how things you choose are related to this truth. Anxieties can become obsessions, and it’s difficult to be free of them without trust, and hope.
 
Catechism

II. THE FORMATION OF CONSCIENCE

1783 Conscience must be informed and moral judgment enlightened. A well-formed conscience is upright and truthful. It formulates its judgments according to reason, in conformity with the true good willed by the wisdom of the Creator. The education of conscience is indispensable for human beings who are subjected to negative influences and tempted by sin to prefer their own judgment and to reject authoritative teachings.

1784 The education of the conscience is a lifelong task. From the earliest years, it awakens the child to the knowledge and practice of the interior law recognized by conscience. Prudent education teaches virtue; it prevents or cures fear, selfishness and pride, resentment arising from guilt, and feelings of complacency, born of human weakness and faults. The education of the conscience guarantees freedom and engenders peace of heart.

1785 In the formation of conscience the Word of God is the light for our path,54 we must assimilate it in faith and prayer and put it into practice. We must also examine our conscience before the Lord’s Cross. We are assisted by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, aided by the witness or advice of others and guided by the authoritative teaching of the Church.55
scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a6.htm#II

1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going."65 "Keep sane and sober for your prayers."66 Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle.67 It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.

scborromeo.org/ccc/p3s1c1a7.htm#I
 
anytimequilter said:
I am there now - - sort of torn between things and none of them are wrong… but I am in a bit of a struggle. I was reading and found article on cognitive dissonance - conflicting thoughts and our inability to “change” our minds and/or actions. I wondered if that was part of our conscience. Like God is trying to tell us something, but our minds won’t accept or can’t understand

Does this make sense? Does anyone have any thoughts ?
Click to expand...
Maybe.

Or it may simply be one has 2 or more good options and one has to decide (maybe discern) which road to take.

One might be overly hesitant or one might need to take more time to think about it and pray about it and seek advice.

Especially larger “good” decisions one faces in life.
 
If YOU are in doubt as to what God wants you
to do, is GOD also confused?? Of course not,
the only reason you are in a quandary about this
means there is a BLOCKAGE in communication
and communion with the Holy Trinity! Do a
search of conscience and ASK God to SHOW
you what is keeping you from “seeing”.
Click to expand...
I agree. I don’t doubt God at all… its myself that I doubt. I have been asking God this but I am not getting anything back from him. 🙂
Only you can answer this; if you find yourself in this state of indecision often, it may be a sign of an “anxiety neurosis”, simply put, a bad habit of worry, perhaps based on insecurity
Click to expand...
I don’t suffer from indecision… it is only this one thing. Seriously. But I would agree that my struggle could be based on insecurity and not sure if I can trust myself on somethings. That is why I wish God would just tell me
1806 Prudence is the virtue that disposes practical reason to discern our true good in every circumstance and to choose the right means of achieving it; "the prudent man looks where he is going."65 "Keep sane and sober for your prayers."66 Prudence is “right reason in action,” writes St. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle.67 It is not to be confused with timidity or fear, nor with duplicity or dissimulation. It is called auriga virtutum (the charioteer of the virtues); it guides the other virtues by setting rule and measure. It is prudence that immediately guides the judgment of conscience. The prudent man determines and directs his conduct in accordance with this judgment. With the help of this virtue we apply moral principles to particular cases without error and overcome doubts about the good to achieve and the evil to avoid.
Click to expand...
I agree that we need prudence and that is why I am caught in this pickle. I want to be prudent and not be rash. I just don’t think there is any way of knowing for sure - - and that is what I want … I want to know for sure.
Kind of like a hunch but seems more real when it seems more real … hard to describe but it just seems like this way or that is best sometimes, and I end up happy with the result so who can say where the other choice would have led? Maybe better, maybe not, but at least we did something.
Click to expand...
I agree… but so many things are out of our control… and even though we don’t control them there are ways we influence situations.

I appreciate your thoughts…and I have read books on discernment I have even tried spiritual direction but I just can’t afford to continue to pay for thatt
 
From a practical standpoint, conflicting thoughts and inability to change your mind or actions may be that you are set in your ways. Not everything is black and white, right or wrong. In those gray areas, we need to make our best choice and rely upon God.
 
From a practical standpoint, conflicting thoughts and inability to change your mind or actions may be that you are set in your ways. Not everything is black and white, right or wrong. In those gray areas, we need to make our best choice and rely upon God.
Click to expand...
I have thought this as well. If perhaps I need to do something differently but I am set in my ways there would be a struggle. BUT if I want to do the right thing - or the better of the options available (since I am not talking about wrong choices) - that is when I would like to decide which is best… or which is God’s will. Perhaps my old ways are the best way… but then what would be prompting me to make the change? my emotions? God? Devil?
 
anytimequilter said:
I have thought this as well. If perhaps I need to do something differently but I am set in my ways there would be a struggle. BUT if I want to do the right thing - or the better of the options available (since I am not talking about wrong choices) - that is when I would like to decide which is best… or which is God’s will. Perhaps my old ways are the best way… but then what would be prompting me to make the change? my emotions? God? Devil?
Click to expand...
Hi, I have a question for you, quilter.

Regardless of what decision you make in any circumstance, are you seeing that God will love you, embrace you, and of course forgive you?
 
Hi, I have a question for you, quilter.
Click to expand...
Regardless of what decision you make in any circumstance, are you seeing that God will love you, embrace you, and of course forgive you?
Click to expand...
Yes I do understand that. But my life is hard - I am sure others have it much harder than I do - but I wish I could find the choices to help me along my way… and not make things harder on myself and kids. I don’t mean it has been a hard year or two… it has been a hard 12 years and I just think “God something has got to give - just tell me what I am doing wrong.” but there are no answers.

And I realize life on earth is not forever and we are to live for heaven, but God created us to have a life on earth too - not just for life after death
 
There is good, better, best. As Jesus said, some produce 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold, or something like that. You do not always have to chose the 100 fold. Good is still in the 30 fold.

Conscience is formed all our life long because, as you pointed out, we change from childhood to adulthood. As we change, what was a problem before, we outgrow or have established good patterns over the old. But as we continue to grow, there are new challenges to meet in every new age that were not challenges before. And that is where the conscience must make adjustments and new decisions.

Oftentimes we are led by our feelings of what makes us feel good rather than what Jesus said, or the church has said. And it can be that our feelings in yesteryear will lead us astray. Feelings can help us in many ways, but in some ways it tends to interfere with right judgment. And this is where principles of faith must make the decisions, and feelings set aside.

But in decisions where the choices are all good, then it is only good decision that a person makes. And this is where you are at in your current decision…at least to me it seems that way.

No matter what time you would chose to do adoration, it is a good thing that would please Jesus.

May God bless and keep you. May God’s face shine on you. May God be kind to you and give you peace.
 
I appreciate all of your guys (name removed by moderator)ut and thoughts. I don’t really have anyone to bounce ideas off.

I think my inner conflict comes from some guilt. I have been going to the adoration chapel for years… either during my lunch or after work. I found out that a coworker goes one evening a week. This is someone who used to work right by me, but has since moved to another building so I never see them. SO I think I would like to go right before their assigned time so that our paths would cross and just say hello every once in a while. In my heart I know my change would be to see this person… and wondered if God would frown on that time change. Sound silly?
 
anytimequilter said:
I appreciate all of your guys (name removed by moderator)ut and thoughts. I don’t really have anyone to bounce ideas off.

I think my inner conflict comes from some guilt. I have been going to the adoration chapel for years… either during my lunch or after work. I found out that a coworker goes one evening a week. This is someone who used to work right by me, but has since moved to another building so I never see them. SO I think I would like to go right before their assigned time so that our paths would cross and just say hello every once in a while. In my heart I know my change would be to see this person… and wondered if God would frown on that time change. Sound silly?
Click to expand...
Sounds fine. If I were God I wouldn’t frown on it. 😉
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top