A Clear Conscience

1 Peter 3:16-17 (AMP) And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear, so that every time you are slandered or falsely accused, those who attack or disparage your good behavior in Christ will be shamed [by their own words]. For it is better that you suffer [unjustly] for doing what is right, if that should be God’s will, than [to suffer justly] for doing wrong.

Keeping your mind at peace when you are being slandered is attainable when you remain focused on Christ. I've counseled several people who share this same struggle as well as myself - when being falsely accused of something we initially desire to respond back in the same hateful manner or worse - but we know that God has called us higher and we are to love and pray for our enemies. This is real cute and easy to say if you aren't the one going through the fire, however, in the thick of things - it is easy to lose focus. The best thing to do, for me, is walk away and pray. If I remain in front of the accuser, there is a great possibility that I will reach my boiling point and have to let out some steam. This always ends in shame and regret - knowing the enemy got what he wanted.

So where is the hope? Peter reminds us that those who attack us will be shamed by their own words! We don't even have to say anything - just as Jesus was silent in front of his accusers, we can choose to remain silent before them and keep our cool, knowing the truth will be revealed in God's timing. It is far better for us to suffer for doing right than suffer for doing wrong. There will always be those who are against us but that should never stop us from helping those God puts in our path. Remain focused on Jesus so you can have a clear conscience and allow God to fight for you! For greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world!

1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT) Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

Acts 24:15-16 (NLT) I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.