The Conscience Question:
Why do people who’ve had too much to drink make bad decisions? It isn’t only the alcohol; it’s what alcohol does to the decision-making system God gave us. And their struggle has something to teach all of us, even when we’re sober.
Why Alcohol Tilts Decisions
Physiologically, alcohol disrupts judgment in two big ways:
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It increases norepinephrine, which raises impulsiveness and lowers inhibition. Consequences feel distant and faint.
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It impairs the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that connects dots, weighs outcomes, and exercises self-control.
The result is predictable: bravery when we should be cautious, volume when we should be quiet, recklessness when we should be thoughtful. The next day brings the familiar sting of regret: “I did what?” “Are you sure?” “There’s a video?”
Intoxication dulls attention to cues. Conscience is muffled. But here’s the sobering parallel: while intoxicated people often can’t help themselves, sober people often won’t. We ignore the inner check. We push past the pause. That is dangerous.
The Conscience Question
Is there a tension that deserves my attention?
Have you felt that interior hesitation in the middle of a choice? Nothing obviously wrong on paper, yet your spirit feels unsettled. That tension is not your enemy. It is often mercy in disguise.
Parents sense it about their children. Many Caribbean women can spot relational deceit without a scrap of “evidence.” Counselors call these red flag moments. When they arise, you owe yourself a pause.
Slow down.
Ask, What is bothering me about this?
Sit with the tension until you have clarity.
Emotions: Fog and Compass
Emotions can fog our vision, but they can also serve as a compass. When your conscience raises a flag, don’t swat it away. That inner unease may be God’s cueing system.
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Not because the person isn’t good.
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Not because the job isn’t a real opportunity.
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Not because the deal isn’t attractive.
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But because strong appeal can cloud judgment. Pausing clears the view.
Don’t Dismiss Tension Because of the Messenger
Sometimes the tension comes through another person. Reuben felt it when his brothers plotted against Joseph. He disliked Joseph too, yet something in him said, Not this (Genesis 37:21–22). His caution altered the plan.
We are tempted to discount truth because of its source:
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“What does he know about parenting? His kids are young.”
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“What advice can she give? She’s divorced.”
That’s the genetic fallacy: rejecting a message because of the messenger. Wisdom listens for God’s nudge, no matter who voices it.
A Biblical Picture: David in the Cave
In 1 Samuel 24, David’s men whisper that God has delivered Saul into his hand. The opportunity seems perfect. David moves in, then tension rises:
Am I about to murder the Lord’s anointed? Is this the story I want to tell? If God has anointed me, who am I to take the throne by force?
David pauses. He refuses to play God. He spares Saul, and even the small act of cutting the robe pricks his conscience (1 Samuel 24:5–6). In time, God handles the kingship without David’s shortcut. The pause protected the story.
Four Takeaways for Clearer Decisions
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Name the knot. Put words to the unease. Vague concern becomes prayerful clarity when named.
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Press pause when appeal is high. The more urgent and exciting it feels, the more you need time. “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 27:12).
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Honor outside alarms. Weigh cautions even from unlikely voices. Don’t commit the genetic fallacy.
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Submit outcomes to God. You don’t have to know how the story ends to obey your conscience. “Trust in the Lord… lean not on your own understanding… and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
A Simple Practice: PAUSE
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Pray: “Lord, is there a tension I need to attend to?”
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Ask wise counsel: someone who loves you and your future.
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Unearth motives: What do I want so much that I’m afraid to lose?
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Sleep on it: Let emotions settle.
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Evaluate the story: Is this a chapter I’ll be proud to tell?
The Conscience Decision
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I will pause even when I cannot pinpoint the cause of my hesitation.
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I will explore, rather than ignore, my conscience.
