A Clear Conscience - Job

I will never concede that you are right; I will defend my integrity until I die. I will maintain my innocence without wavering. My conscience is clear for as long as I live.

Job 27:5-6

A man ridden with guilt walked into his pastor’s office, hoping to find relief. “Pastor,” he confessed, “I’ve been misbehaving a lot lately, and my conscience is killing me.”

“Well, let’s talk about that,” the pastor offered. “And then let’s pray that God would strengthen your resolve.”

“Actually,” the man interrupted, “I was hoping you could pray that my conscience wouldn’t bother me so much.”

How often do we long for a quiet conscience when what we really need is a clean conscience? The Old Testament story of Job shows us the crucial difference.

God allowed Satan to attack Job on several fronts at once, including his family life. Thereafter, three well-meaning but misguided friends offered Job their counsel as to what had gone wrong. One of those friends, named Eliphaz, offered this gem: “Is it because you’re so pious that he accuses you and brings judgment against you? No, it’s because of your wickedness! There’s no limit to your sins” (Job 22:4-5).

There is no doubt Job did a quick personal inventory to see if Eliphaz’s words had any merit, but he already knew better. He had a completely clean conscience, and though he was suffering greatly, guilt over some hidden sin wasn’t one of the reasons.

Though Job didn’t know why he was suffering, he knew that it hadn’t come about as a result of his sin. Even God had called Job “blameless—a man of complete integrity” (Job 1:8).

Difficult times are bound to come, but when you keep your conscience clear, you can find the same comfort that Job knew. A clean conscience provides relief that no medicine can touch.

Do you enjoy a clean conscience? Do you keep short accounts with God? The best thing about a clear conscience is knowing that you are at peace with God and with other people, regardless of what happens to you.