Citizens in America know that there is enormous corruption by many in public office. In stings, Senators have been caught selling their votes for bribes. Our congress passed the Universal Healthcare Law while exempting themselves from it. Many leave office as multi-millionaires because they practice what amounts to insider trading-investing based on knowledge of contracts soon to be awarded. One group has had enough and is calling on all public officials to take a “Clean Conscience Pledge.” It includes the promise to limit outside income to enable better focus on the needs of constituents, limiting contributions from special interest groups, and the transparent disclosure all discretionary spending and conflicts of interest.

One official that did not need this pledge was Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles. He could honestly tell Governor Felix, “…herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men”(Acts 24:16). This certainly did not mean others did not wrongly take offense when Paul proclaimed the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ. But he did not allow himself to do anything he knew was wrong, whether before God or men. This was the high standard to which he always held himself. When sharing his heavy burden for the lost souls of Israel, he said, “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have a great heaviness…in my heart” (Romans 9:1-2). Because guilt over wrongdoing did not plague him, he wrote, “For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity…by the grace of God, we have had our conversation [or manner of life] in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward” (II Corinthians 1:12). To sum up the importance of a clean conscience, he wrote, “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned” (I Timothy 1:5).

Scripture repeats this principle of the importance of a clean conscience a number of times because it is vital for all believers. When God pricks your heart that something you are doing, saying, looking at, or planning to do, is wrong, do not violate your conscience. You will be able to sleep better, look people in the eye, and have greater confidence at the Bema Seat.