Many multi-faceted debates are taking place across America these days.

These debates focus on a number of controversial topics. And while the individual issues are important, there is something that is so much bigger at stake; our national conscience.

We all know what a conscience is. Our conscience informs us of what is right and wrong in life.

There are some things you just know that you ought to do and some thing you know you ought not to do. You might not be sure how you know these things, but you do. That is your conscience. It is like that still small voice inside you.

As Christians, we believe the still small voice is God’s Spirit speaking to us and guiding us if we will choose to listen. It is like our own built-in navigational system. Isaiah 30:21 says, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Every individual has a conscience. There is no question about that. It is hard wired within us. You can choose to ignore it, and if you do so long enough your conscience can become hardened and calloused.

That still small voice gets quieter and quieter until it is silenced. That’s what happens when you ignore your conscience long enough. On the other hand, when you are careful and receptive to what your conscience is saying to you, it can remain tender and receptive.

We all have a conscience. But there is also something that is known as a collective conscience.

A collective conscience is what you might experience in a family, a business or an organization. The collective conscience might also be considered the corporate culture in a business or organization.

Those who are a part of that culture understand that there are certain things you do and there are certain things you don’t do. It is the group’s expectation.

Family’s have a collective conscience. So do businesses, churches, communities and even nations.

During the next few weeks I would like to explore the seismic shift that has taken place in our national conscience recently.

As the national conscience shifts, laws, regulations and statutes will follow, to allow us to support and enforce those things that align with our conscience.

We must be very cautious about how our conscience is informed. So much is at stake. We’ll start there next time.

You can read Steve Greene’s blog at pastorgreene.wordpress.com or you can email him at [email protected].