June 5 - Acts 23: A Clear Conscience

Paul's first words before the high priests and High Council infuriated the Chief Priest. After all the turmoil that Paul's presence had caused in Jerusalem, his comment may have been honest, but it definitely stirred up the crowd.

Paul surveyed the members of the council with a steady gaze, and then said his piece: "Friends, I've lived with a clear conscience before God all my life, up to this very moment." (23:1)

I can't say that about myself. I can vividly remember the years when I was doing things I knew I shouldn't and struggled with a guilty conscience. For too long, it didn't make me change my behavior, but deep down, I knew I was in the wrong.

"Conscience is that ability within me that attaches itself to the highest standard I know, and then continually reminds me of what that standard demands that I do. It is the eye of the soul which looks out either toward God or toward what we regard as the highest standard. This explains why conscience is different for different people. If I am in the habit of continually holding God's standard in front of me, my conscience will always direct me to God's perfect law and indicate what I should do. The question is, will I obey?" Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

Paul claimed a clear conscience before God and lived in such a radical, faith-filled way that makes me believe it. He followed God wherever and whenever the Spirit led him, which took him into some pretty dicey situations. Obviously, going to Jerusalem was one of those situations.

The Word tells us to strive to live with a clear conscience before God and men, but what does that look like for me?

On a good day, enjoy yourself. On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so we won't take anything for granted. (Ecclesiastes 7:14)

Worse, they have no conscience. Right and wrong mean nothing to them. They stand for nothing, stand up for no one, throw orphans to the wolves, exploit the poor. Do you think I'll stand by and do nothing about this? God's Decree. (Jeremiah 5:28-29)

But evil men and women, without conscience and without shame, persist in evil. (Zephaniah 3:5)

Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. (1 Peter 3:17)

The waters of baptism do that for you, not by washing away dirt from your skin but by presenting you through Jesus' resurrection before God with a clear conscience. (1 Peter 3:21)

"God always instructs us down to the last detail. Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit, so that I know what I should do?...He does not speak with a voice like thunder - His voice is so gentle that it is easy for us to ignore. And the only thing that keeps our conscience sensitive to Him is the habit of being open to God on the inside. When you begin to debate, stop immediately. Don't ask, "Why can't I do this?" You are on the wrong track. There is no debating possible once your conscience speaks. Whatever it is - drop it, and see that you keep your inner vision clear." Chambers

Lord, I pray I will walk with a clear conscience on this journey with You. May I always hold Your standard in front of me and choose to obey what You show me. I praise You as my Redeemer and Rescuer. It's only by Your perfect sacrifice on the cross, Jesus, that, like Paul, I have any hope of a clear conscience before my Father in heaven.