Engaging the Conscience for Lifestyle Change

In previous discussions, we’ve emphasized that character shapes destiny, and this is why character development is a central goal in medical ministry. But this naturally raises the question: How do we influence a patient’s character in a healthcare setting in a way that will also improve their health?

Interestingly, even in secular environments where people may not know the name of Jesus, we can see the impact of character on health. The impartial cause-and-effect relationship between one’s character and their well-being is often common sense. One key way we can access and influence character is by activating and engaging the conscience.

To be clear, influencing a patient’s conscience and character is not achieved through simply giving medical orders. Telling patients, “Do what I say because I’m the authority,” is rarely effective. Studies show that roughly one-third of prescriptions written by physicians are never taken by patients. What does this say about how a patient responds to the physician’s authority? This highlights a peculiar aspect of human nature—patients pay for professional medical advice, yet following that advice solely because of the doctor’s authority often doesn’t even work short term, let alone long-term.

Another ineffective method is using fear as a motivator. Healthcare providers may resort to scare tactics by saying, “If you don’t do this, you’re going to suffer or die.” While fear can prompt immediate action, it rarely leads to lasting change. In my experience, fear-based motivation typically lasts between one to three weeks, depending on how frightened the patient is. Once the initial fear fades, so does their adherence to the prescribed changes.

Likewise, overwhelming patients through force of personality or compulsion doesn’t work. Trying to compel someone into action may yield short-term results, but it doesn’t foster genuine change or conviction.

So, if orders, fear, and compulsion are ineffective, how do we help patients achieve real, lasting change?

The answer lies in activating and engaging the conscience. When a person’s conscience is awakened, they develop personal conviction, which is one of the most powerful motivators. Conviction comes from within; when patients are convinced that something is the right thing to do, they will follow through—not because we told them to, but because their own conscience drives them.

This is why, as healthcare providers, our goal is not just to instruct but to engage the patient’s conscience. When patients act out of their own convictions, the changes they make are far more likely to last. So, how do we activate and engage a patient’s conscience to help them reach conviction?

For medical missionaries, the process begins with prayer. Beyond that, we must relate to patients as people, meet their needs, educate them, and, perhaps most importantly, spend time with them.

Time is often the crucial factor here. Building a relationship, teaching, and helping someone arrive at their own convictions takes time, and there is no substitute for it. Without dedicating enough time to connect with patients, to educate them, and to respond to their questions and needs, they will have little interest in what we recommend, even if it could save their lives. Without time spent building a relationship, there will likely be no conviction.

Interestingly, the role of the medical missionary mirrors that of the gospel minister. Just as a minister cannot successfully bring someone to faith through authority, fear, or compulsion, neither can a medical missionary guide patients to lasting change through these methods. Compulsion is never a tool in gospel work, and Jesus Himself never used force to compel anyone’s will. He demonstrated this through His life and death. Likewise, a worker seeking to save souls or heal bodies must use the methods of Jesus: patience, relationship, and love.

In both healthcare and ministry, the tools are interestingly similar—prayer, education, relationships, and time. These tools activate the conscience, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring conviction. When conviction is present, people are empowered to make choices that heal their lives here on earth and prepare them for eternal life in the kingdom to come.

By engaging the conscience, we not only improve health outcomes but also touch lives in a way that has eternal significance.

The author invites you to comment on this article. Whether you agree or have a different perspective, please enter your comments in the space below.