In All Good Conscience

by Edwin Crozier

In Acts 22, we witnessed Paul speak to the crowds when he was arrested. He wasn’t able to finish that speech. He mentioned going to the Gentiles, and the crowd erupted, bringing his speech to an end. The tribune was going to have him interrogated by flogging, but Paul declared Roman citizenship. It was illegal to interrogate a Roman citizen by flogging. The tribune decided to call the Jewish council together to explain their real reasons for accusing Paul. In Acts 23, we see Paul’s defense before the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin.

He began: "Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day" (Acts 23:1 ESV).

What a statement. What a claim. I wish I could make this claim.

I’m sure Paul didn’t mean he had never, ever done even a little thing that violated his conscience. After all, in Romans 7, he writes about his struggle with covetousness. But he was claiming he had always done his best to be pleasing to God.

In Paul’s statement, I learn two things.

First, I need to strive to serve God with a good conscience. That is, I shouldn’t do things that go against my conscience. If I can’t in good conscience do or say a thing, I shouldn’t do or say it. God is looking for people who will stay true to their conscience. If we will willy-nilly violate even what we think is right or wrong, then we cannot be trusted to follow God at all.

Second, I need to train my conscience to be a good guide. When Paul held the coats for the people who stoned Stephen, he did so with a good conscience. But his conscience was wrong. Yes, I should follow my conscience. But I need to train my conscience properly. And when I learn my conscience has been wrong, I need to change and redirect my conscience, not use it as a justification for sin.

May we learn both lessons.