Conscience is the loving voice of God

“Conscience is the voice of God.” wrote Ludwig Wittgenstein. In a world where moral relativism reigns supreme, this is a strange concept. For if morality is relative, the individual should be the final judge. If so, what else can this “conscience” be than an internal monologue?

For Wittgenstein’s words to make sense, one must suspend the belief in moral relativism. What if morality isn’t made, but discovered? What if there is an invisible moral order to measure up to? Timeless principles. Moral truths.

In that light, your conscience becomes a guiding voice. Guiding you to live in accordance with these principles. And since you are a sinner, it is important to view it as a loving voice.

Heard as the voice of a tyrant, the conscience becomes paralyzing. The sinner can never live up to the moral standard. Everybody fails. Everybody fails spectacularly. In the words of Jordan Peterson,

“...probably everyone makes unforgivable mistakes.” (09:20)

That’s why God carries grace with Him. For grace forgives the unforgivable so one can move back towards the Good. As Peterson puts it,

“...actually what you want to do, to atone, is to set yourself back on the right track.” (07:28)

Therefore, imagine your conscience as a friend. A good friend. A friend who sees you struggle, and believes you can do better. Such a friend would point out your mistakes and point you towards a better path. Not with judgement, but in the spirit of love.

However, divorced from God, the conscience becomes an anxiety-inducing internal monologue. Disconnected from the idea of a moral order, the conscience becomes incomprehensible. A misunderstood friend pointing you towards an unknowable road.

So blessed are the ones who hear their conscience and understand it. God is speaking to them. Fools are those who take His voice as punishment. One must treat their conscience as the loving voice of God. Guiding sinners towards better roads, in the spirit of grace and forgiveness.