The Bible remembers David as a man after God’s own heart. His imperfect life, God’s epitaph concerning him, and David’s closeness with God show it’s possible for flawed followers of Christ to keep a clean conscience before God (Acts 13:22).
David described himself as having kept the ways of the Lord. He believed God had rewarded him according to his righteousness (2 Samuel 22). Despite some spectacular sins, David’s last words show he saw himself as blameless and dearly loved by God. Having traveled with David through 1st and 2nd Samuel, these words amaze, inspire, and reshape how I see blamelessness and keeping a clear conscience.
Paul Kept a Clean Conscience
Paul persecuted the church and applauded the stoning of Stephen before surrendering his life to Jesus. Look at the words of this New Testament example of one who kept a clean conscience.
- “I have the same hope in God … 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” (Acts 24:15-16 NLT).
. - “My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due” (1 Cor. 4:4-5 NLT emphasis added).
These mighty men of faith had scarred pasts. But they confessed their failures to God and received His cleansing. They believed God delighted in them. They didn’t look back with regret and rehearse their faults. They looked back with gratitude for God’s grace and looked forward in hope (2 Samuel 23:5).
What that Means for Us
How about you, my friend? What do you see when you look back over your life? Are you paralyzed by regret? Or do you marvel at God’s grace in the rough spots—including your own sin?
Not one of us has lived a perfectly righteous life (Romans 3:10). The Accuser would have us focus on our failures. But a man or woman after God’s own heart sees God’s faithfulness. Even with a past checkered with sexual sin and murder, David saw himself as righteous. How could he? When his conscience pricked him, he confessed his sin to God (2 Samuel 24:10). We can follow his example.
Seeing Myself as God Sees Me
God promises that if we confess our sins, He’ll cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). By faith, like David and Paul, we receive His cleansing. We keep clean by spending regular time in His Word (Psalm 119:11) and confessing our sin as soon as we become aware of it. We can live with the joy of knowing God is pleased with us.
Strength Finder
Here are some verses to ponder on keeping a clean conscience.
- “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity. Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God” (Hebrews 9:12-14 NLT).
- “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22 NLT).
- “Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do” (Hebrews 13:18 NLT).
- “Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him” (1 John 3:19-22 NLT).
Blessings,
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Oh Debbie this was such perfect confirmation for something the Lord brought up to me today!!! This is so important and not often written or spoken about. Thank you – I needed this today!
Thank you, Ann. I love to hear how God is working!
I’m so thankful a flawed person can keep a clean conscience. Otherwise, I would have no hope. Thanks for sharing this encouragement for those who feel condemned.
Isn’t that the truth! I love how God repeats this message. Some of us need to hear it more than once. 🙂
Oh Debbie, God has been so gracious and kind in forgiving us and giving us fresh chances to live for Him. I am forever grateful for His mercy!
Me too, Linda! Me too.
What a thought provoking question! Only by the grace of God!
I found David’s last words quite startling and encouraging.
Very interesting Debbie. You gave me a lot to think about with your great message. Thank you.
Thank you, Yvonne.
It’s hard (impossible?) not to look back with regret at past mistakes. But knowing that God forgives and grants us another chance brings hope and assurance. And we are granted wisdom and discernment which helps us not repeat the same mistakes. Thank you for this message of grace. We are so blessed.
I don’t think we’ll ever wrap our minds around God’s grace. Thanks so much for reading and adding your thoughts, Katherine.
What redemptive encouragement for living everyday – we confess and He cleanses us of our sins – and if our sins are cleansed from us our conscience is clean, too. Learning to walk free is hard, especially when the world judges as though they still see the sin. I love this, Debbie – and I needed the differences parceled out just like you explained. There needs to be more teaching on living conscience clean instead of sin-bound!
Maryleigh, the message of grace changes everything! Thanks so much for reading.