Good conscience & Good conversation

In this world of fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, loss of peace and joy and turmoil where is peace, comfort and joy for the inner man in this part of eternity? Let us stop and think for a minute to look well to into our conscience and conversation!

“Having a good conscience, that whereas they speak evil of you, as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.”1 Pet 3: 16-17. Conscience is a God given gift to man, and conscience is good when it is kept pure, incorrupt, and clear from guilt.

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is the perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” Jam 3:2. We offend because we are all sinners. The Word of God teaches us to govern our tongues, so we will be perfect men and women of God, and we will have an entire government over ourselves. The one who offends not in word not only prove to be a sincere Christian, but also as a matured, advanced Christian. One needs tremendous grace and wisdom from God to rule the tongue and this will enable the person to rule the actions that follow.

It is sad and absurd to know that those who use their tongues in prayer and praise would use their tongue for cursing, slandering. The tongue which addresses the Divine Being with reverence can become inconsistent and turn on the creatures with reviling, brawling language! “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith cures we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” Jam 3: 9-10. A good conversation in Christ is a holy calling and life according to the Word of God and the doctrine and the living example of Christ.

Genuine Christians are very often placed in environment where men speak evil of them and falsely accused as evil-doers. Very often statistics show that the most conscientious persons are faced with slanders and censures of evil men, and charged with crimes which their very souls abhor. The life of Jesus Christ and His disciples are a good illustration for this and the example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience under sufferings. If we have a good conscience and conversation toward God and men we can clear ourselves and shame will be to the accusers.

We may even think it is hard to suffer for well-doing, for keeping a good conscience and a good conversation. One can take encouragement on the Word of God that it is sometimes the will of God that good people should suffer for well-doing, for their honesty and genuine faith in the knowledge and love of God in Jesus Christ. Let us focus on the main thing that is the blessed end of Jesus Christ’s suffering brought humanity to God; and it is to our blessedness that when we submit to our difficulties they are of so much use to quicken our conscience in our return to God and in our worship of Him. What a great unfathomable design for humanity in God’s great love for mankind?

I can not even imagine the intensity of the sufferings of wicked people for evil doing because the sufferings of good people for well-doing is so severe in many cases. The root issues in all this is SIN, and this makes the sufferings to be extreme, unprofitable, comfortless and destructive. It is extremely a sad condition upon whom the sin and suffering meet together to steal abundant life of peace and joy.

We have many stories in the Bible which exposes the evil men eventually. The Word of God warns us not to return evil for evil because it is a sinful unchristian practice; 1 Pet 3:9. False accusation mostly turns to the accuser’s shame by exposing the accuser’s indiscretion, injustice, falsehood, and uncharitableness. A good conscience and a good conversation are the best way to secure a good name, and this gives a solid reputation which is a lasting one.


References:
1. Jay E.Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973)

2. John G. Kruis, ‘Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling; (Grand rapids: Baker Books, Third edition, p. 169-170)

3. David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopaedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999)

4. Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith: Marshall Pickering, 1985), p. 100-104).

5.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.

6. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.

7. Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002)

8. Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986)

9. John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994)

10. Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)

11. The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.