1 Peter 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
As we go out into the world in the footsteps of Jesus by following his example of self-giving and sacrificial love (see 1 Peter 2:21-25), we can only due so with the power of God if our consciences are clear. If this is not so, we will only be hypocrites. Unbelievers can quickly discern the mask that shields a guilty conscience. What makes a conscience clear? Having a holy heart before the Holy God. What is required for this? Faith and obedience. A genuine and seeking faith will point out the need to repent from our sins. Repentance is what wipes clean the dirty slate of our conscience. Obedience is the confirmation of our repentance, that we indeed have allowed God to cleans our conscience. Obedience strengthens the resolve of faith and builds strength in our conscience.
We must have this strength in order to go out in to the world which will speak ill of us. People will try to criticize us, make fun of us, or destroy us because of our holy living. We can only stand up to this onslaught with God’s help. God’s help will come through the Holy Spirit, who confirms our conscience and provides the resolve we need to continue to live holy lives. When unbelievers seek to shame us or even harm us, our clean consciences will evaporate their reaction into futility and lead to their shame. This in itself may be an open door for them to feel God’s conviction and lead to their salvation.
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