November 14

keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. — 1 Pet 3:16 BSB

We may not always see our faith clearly, but we can often observe our conscience. We may not always rejoice in the Lord, but we can recognize if we have a reverence for His great name. We may not always triumph over our enemies, but we can sometimes notice whether we have a guard keeping watch over our soul. So, if you want to know if you have faith, look at what accompanies it. If you don’t find a “good conscience,” then your religion is empty. Throw away your sword—it’s useless; it’s man-made and will break apart when you face the enemy, death itself. God’s judgment will shatter it.

But if the Lord has given you a “good conscience,” a tender and pure conscience, He will strengthen you to fight the good fight of faith. You may often think your sword is too short, and your arm too weak to fight God’s battles. But if He has given you a “good conscience,” tender in His fear, then He has given you the sword of faith. One day, He will make it clear that He has equipped you Himself by giving you victory over all your enemies. May the Lord raise up in our hearts the sweet assurance that we have “a good conscience,” and then we will have the comforting hope that we will not shipwreck our faith.