SPIRITUAL
DIARY
Date: 01-15-04
My
Worship Time Focus: Maintain a good conscience
Bible
Reading & Meditation Reference: 1Peter 3:16,17
Message
of the verse:
“16 ¶ and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are
slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to
shame. 17 For it is better, if God
should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for
doing what is wrong.” (NASB95) “16 ¶ But you must do this in a gentle and
respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak evil against
you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you
belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is
better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for
doing wrong!” (NLT)
In
order for believers to have an affective wittiness to the lost they must
maintain a good conscience. The word
conscience means to “know with,” and it can be described as a window that lets
in the light of God. Windows can become
dirty and not let in the light as well as when they are clean, and this can
happen to the conscience. The Bible
describes different types of consciences, a defiled conscience is described in
Titus 1:15, and a seared conscience is described in 1Timothy 4:2, Hebrews 10:22
describes an evil conscience and Acts 24:16 describes a good conscience. “So I strive always to keep my conscience
clear before God and man.” 1Corinthians
8 describes a weak conscience.
Having
a good conscience is helpful when believers are persecuted for the cause of
Christ because they know full well that what they are doing is right. Our great example, of course, is Jesus Christ
who was crucified because of doing what was right. Peter tells his readers that it is better to
suffer for doing what is right than for doing what is wrong.
Spiritual
meaning for my life today: It is good to be reminded that I
need to maintain a good conscience in order to be effective wittiness for the
cause of Christ, and that I am to be gentle and not abrasive with my witness
for the Lord. It could be said that
“spiritual Windex” is keeping a short list with the Holy Spirit.
The Word of God was challenging
to my heart as I read and studied it this morning.
My
Steps of Faith Today: Maintain a good conscience.
Memory verse for the week: 1Peter 3:15
But sanctify Christ as Lord in
your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to
give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and
reverence.
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