SCRIPTURE | 1 Peter 3:16 16having a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.
OBSERVATION | We continue to learn of the commands given to us when we are “zealous for what is good,” even when we suffer for it. (1 Pt 3:13-14) With such bold commitment to godly living, we first learned not to fear or be troubled, to sanctify Christ as Lord in our heart, and to be ready to give an answer. Now we are commanded to have a good conscience for the purpose of putting to shame those who slander and disparage our holy living.
Here we are taught that one of our duties before our Savior is to be “having a good conscience.” The conscience is our internal witness of ourselves. One might have a guilty conscience for wrongs done, or one might have a clear conscience, knowing they have done no wrong. A good conscience belongs to someone who is not just not doing bad, but is the doer of good things. Thus, there can be a concrete confidence and contentment when what has been done is right and biblical. This is the mindset we are to stand firm in when we do right and suffer in it. In other words, if you suffer for your zeal for godly and holy living, be sure to keep having a good conscience.
Why? “So that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.” In other words, the purpose of your good conscience isn’t for your own benefit. Although it will keep your conscience from feeling shame, if you indeed are suffering for doing good and not for something wrong. So, if you have a guilty conscience, there is reason for those who mistreat you to feel justified. Yet if you rightly have a good conscience there is reason for those who mistreat you to feel shame for their injustice.
Now the Lord is not saying here that this will stop their slandering or mistreatment of you for your holy living. It doesn’t even say that they will confess their wrong doing to you and reconcile to you. Instead, we have revealed for us what ought to be taking place internally. Their conscience will feel shame, because it will be all the more evident that you do not deserve their mistreatment.
Last, we need to notice that they will “slander” and “disparage your good conduct.” If we truly know the saving gospel of forgiveness in the death and resurrection of Jesus, from it we long to live Godly and holy lives in all of our conduct. (Titus 3:5–8; 1 Pt 1:15) True salvation causes a true love and zeal for good works. That sort of “desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Tim 3:12)
APPLICATION | Are you truly saved? Do you desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus? Then your life will be slandered, disparaged and you will be mistreated. The more lawless of an age we live in, the more lawless the church of our day has become, the more true this is. Keeping your conscience clear, means you will not compromise in even the smallest of matters of faith and life. Do you have a faith that only wants the benefits from God? Or one that has true confidence in not only His merciful grace, but also the righteousness of holy living?
Ask yourself, if someone were to slander you this moment, in what area of your life would you NOT have a good conscience? Repent of that sin immediately. Allow God to cleanse your conscience with both forgiveness and a Holy Spirit powered transformation that keeps you from being entangled by that sin again.
PRAYER | Father, Your love and Your mercy are wonderful beyond description. Too marvelous for words. So too is Your will, and the ways You call us to live. Give me the resolution to be more zealous for what is good and to feel greater shame for what is not, according to Your Word. Give me the boldness to face the slander and suffering that come from godly living in a godless age and among the godless churches of our day. Let the shame of my wrongs sting so badly I withdraw from all that would cause me to fall into those sins again. So that my conscience would be both clear and good, so that my deeds maybe more and more righteous and holy. For You and Your praise and glory alone. Amen.
