clean conscience – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

In all good conscience

Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.” (Acts 23:1)

I wish I were able to say what Paul said.

Not with an arrogant or self-righteous attitude, of course.

The truth is, we can be acting in all good conscience and still do some pretty horrific things. Paul knew that as well as anyone. (1 Timothy 1:13-14)

But I never want to violate my conscience, willfully doing what I know is wrong.

And when I realize my sin, I want a soft heart like Paul’s that quickly repents. (Acts 23:5)

So my heart’s prayer is this:

Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.

Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule me.
Then I will be blameless
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)

Living with a good conscience before God

Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day. (Acts 23:1)

Those are pretty incredible words when you think about it.

How many of us can say the same?

This is not to say that Paul thought he was perfect by any means.

In fact, he told the Corinthians,

For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me.

So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts.

And then praise will come to each one from God. (I Corinthians 4:4-5)

So it is possible to think you’re doing the right thing for the right reasons and yet not have a right heart before God.

Still, as much as possible, we are to keep a clean conscience before God, not doing anything to stain it.

To willfully break conscience is sin.

So let us pray as David did,

Who perceives his unintentional sins?

Cleanse me from my hidden faults.
Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;
do not let them rule me.

Then I will be blameless
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:12-14)