The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Seared conscience

These hypocrites are described as the men whose own conscience is seared (literally, "who are cauterized as to their own conscience". By constantly arguing with conscience, stiflying its warnings, and muffling its bell, they at last have reached the point where conscience no longer bothers them. Grieving the Holy Spirit has led to resisting him, and resisting him to quenching him. Then, through their own rebellion and obstinacy, their conscience will have been rendered (and thus will be permanently) seared. It will have been made callous. A good example is Balaam (Num. 22:12, 19, 21, 22, 32; 25:103; II Peter 2:15; Rev. 2:14).