The Role of A Clear Conscience in the Life of the a Believer. Acts 23

23 Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.” 2 At this the high priest Ananias ordered those standing near Paul to strike him on the mouth. 3 Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit there to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck!” 4 Those who were standing near Paul said, “How dare you insult God’s high priest!” 5 Paul replied, “Brothers, I did not realize that he was the high priest; for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’[a]”6 Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead.” 7 When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 (The Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, and that there are neither angels nor spirits, but the Pharisees believe all these things.) 9 There was a great uproar, and some of the teachers of the law who were Pharisees stood up and argued vigorously. “We find nothing wrong with this man,” they said. “What if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” 10 The dispute became so violent that the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them. He ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

As the religious leaders continue to accuse Paul, he has a confrontation with the chief priest. Paul says that he has in "good consience" fulfilled his duty.  Since he is court he is not saying that his conscience is what made him right with God, but it was a guide to not breaking the law. This will be Paul's defense in the last chapter that he has done NOTHING wrong.  It is very similar to the trial of Jesus, when Jesus had done nothing wrong in the eyes of the law.  This will help Paul go to Rome and to Caesar.  Because he was a Roman citizen he could not be tried unjustly even in light of the mob mentality of the Jewish leaders and their zealous followers.

Paul not only had a clear conscience, he was also wise.  He knew as he brought up the issue of the resurrection of the dead, the two main religious groups, the Pharisees and Sadducees would be at odds.  Much like the liberal movement in Christianity in the 20th century, the Sadducees did not not believe in anything supernatural, especially being raised from the dead.  But there was teaching in the law of Moses of a resurrection of the dead in connection with the coming Messiah.  This caused an uproar among the two groups and made the Roman leaders even more suspect of the Jewish leaders motives.  Hence the Commander, tipped off by Paul's nephew, secretly helped Paul avoid the ambush by the Jewish zealots.  

Finally, we see the Lord guided Paul to trust in Him regardless of the situation.  Once again the Lord appeared to Paul in the night and told him not to worry and Paul would be giving a similar testimony in Rome, as he had done in Jerusalem.  Paul did not shrink back in fear, but preached the whole gospel even at the risk of the death.  The Lord rewarded Paul's faithfulness by his presence and guidance.   

Paul acted in pure conscience, used his knowledge of the scriptures and wisdom to refute the religious groups, and relied on the Lord.  A pretty spectacular combination.  How do you respond to your conscience?  Do you have a clear conscience?  Our conscience does not save us and we are still sinners, but our conscience plays a role in our Christian journey.  The Holy Spirit is the whom who empowers us to act in good conscience.  The Holy Spirit convicts us when we have strayed from God's commands.  Where are the situations in your life where you need to be led by God's wisdom, a clear conscience, trusting as the Lord delivered Paul, he will deliver you as you rely totally on him!