Acts 24:16 -e….l myself always stive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Most people know the story about David, Bathsheba and Uriah. David did some horrible things that he thought were hidden. Most also know the story of Peter denying Jesus. And there are other stories in the bible of people doing things and thinking no one saw or heard. But God did. And there were consequences with each one. David’s life and the lives of his offspring was full of chaos. Peter left the ministry for a time because he felt unworthy. Both had a guilty conscience. God let them know that HE knew all about it. They repented and were restored with their conscience clear.
All of us have at some time in life, done or said some things that we think no one saw or heard. Are you one that bullies people? Are you someone that steals things like tools or supplies from your job? Do you call people names or purposely say hurtful words? Maybe there was someone in need you could have helped but decided that it was not your problem. Is physical or mental abuse of your spouse or children your arsenal? Maybe it didn’t cause a life to be taken as David did with Uriah. But somebody somewhere has been affected negatively by those actions. Do we believe that we have gotten away with it or that it is too insignificant to be counted? Well let this be a reminder. God knows about them all! Our only recourse is repentance. Sure, there will be consequences for all of our actions just like there were for David and Peter. But at least our consciences will be clear.
The scripture says we should strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men. That opens the door for us to examine ourselves the more. Search those secret places and ask God to reveal the things that we need HIM to help us with. And when He does, don’t fight it. The fact is He loves us enough to put us through the wash to get rid of the dirty secrets we’ve tried to conceal. Let Him do it! That way if God counts us worthy, we should also. Then when Satan tries to use the ammunition that was there against us, we can reply, my sins are forgiven, and my conscience is clear.
Father: I submit all of my forgotten faults and failures to You. I ask that You fix me because I strive to have a clear conscience to be a servant You can use. Amen