Why do some people have a greater awareness of right and wrong than other people?
Let’s consider 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; HAVING THEIR CONSCIENCE SEARED WITH A HOT IRON.” The allusion here is like having scars burnt into the body by a branding iron. The area would become hard and insensitive. Those who continually resist and reject the work of the Holy Spirit often become ‘hard hearted’ towards others, not seeming to know or care if their actions are harmful.
In Romans 1:18-32, we read of God’s actions against those who continue to reject Him. We read in Romans 1:28-32, “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, GOD GAVE THEM OVER TO A REPROBATE MIND, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” It was not that God compelled them; or that he did not allow them knowledge of Himself. They forsook him, they “did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” As a consequence, the Lord gave them up to a reprobate mind. One who is a reprobate is known as not having the ability to discern right or wrong, or one who is destitute of judgment.
Our whole sense of right and wrong must be determined by the Word of God, else we will live in a society where each one determines by his/her own standards what is right and what is wrong. In that type of society, right and wrong is situational so that what is right today may be wrong tomorrow. We read in Judges 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but EVERY MAN DID THAT WHICH WAS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES.” Those who are tender towards the Lord; those who delight themselves in their savior tend to be more conscience of right and wrong. 1 Peter 3:12 tells us, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” Who are the righteous? Those who do right in the sight of God! (326.4)