In Hebrews 13:18, the Bible says, "Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly." Prayer is so important for us to have good conscience and a good testimony; Paul, at the end of most of his epistles asked for the prayers of the saints. Years ago, Daniel the prophet was threatened with death by the authorities, but he had rather spend a night with the lions than a day without prayer - Daniel would rather die than not pray and fellowship with his God. Are we committed to prayer as Daniel was? Good ole Daniel believed in 'his' God. Daniel maintained a good conscience inwardly and a good testimony outwardly. Daniel had an adoring affection for his God first and foremost. Mark it down, Only prayers covered with Jesus' atoning blood can move the heart and hand of God. John Wesley said this, "God does nothing but in answer to prayer."
Here are the two keys to Real Christianity: A Good Conscience and a Good Testimony. We need to have a Good Conscience in all things; this means being "honest on the inside" with God and ourselves (Acts 23:1; 24:16; II Cor 1:12), and we also need have a Good Testimony – this means to live honestly in all things toward our neighbors (II Cor 8:21; Rom 12:17; I Thess 4:12; I Peter 2:12). We should be affable, kind, tenderhearted, forbearing and forgiving. Now understand - Inward honesty is most important. We should seek to be free from guile and deceit in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Most people get this backwards like the Pharisees did. They had a lot of do’s and don’ts on the outside, but no purity, sincerity, and love for God on the inside. Christianity is not just having a bunch of outward convictions and strange doctrines and conceits (Hebrews 13:9). We must ‘think honestly and purely’ or we will never have the true peace of God inwardly (Phil 4:8). We must live a prayerful, joyful, grateful life to God. Only honest and good hearts bring forth pleasing fruit to God (Luke 8:15). We should always live decently before others, and walk in wisdom toward them that are without.
A 'good and pure conscience' is a conscience that is tuned and cleansed by the Scripture of truth. When we lose our testimony and reputation before men, our service becomes vain and useless. Most of the time, long before we ever lose our 'good testimony' with man, we have lost our 'good conscience' with God. We need much more grace in our hearts daily, fresh grace every day, not just new meat in our head. Having a ‘meathead’ (Hebrews 13:9) and a carnal heart will never profit the LORD, yourself, or anyone else at all. We need more grace (James 4:6) and wisdom (James 1:5). Meat occupies many Christians' heads and they end up distracted and in the ditch. A walk with just meat and convictions will make us very 'mean, judgmental, and barren.' We need to stick with simple Christianity, a childlike faith in Jesus, a pure and gracious heart, a good conscience, a faith unfeigned - a useful life. Remember - Sin always complicates life. Continue to hold faith (toward man) and a good conscience (toward God) (I Timothy 1:19). We must have both these things in order to be true and useful in the Lord's work: inward honesty towards God (good conscience - I Timothy 1:5), and outward honesty toward man (good testimony - II Thess 2:1). As much as lieth in you, inwardly abhor sin (Rom 12:9), and outwardly avoid sin (I Thess 5:22) and stand in the true grace of God (I Pet 5:12). Many Christians chase their tails for years and years, but these two simple keys (A Good Conscience in the sight of God, and a Good Testimony in the sight of man), if used daily (Luke 9:23), will unlock the door to peace and joy for you everyday.
But [we] have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God (II Cor 4:2). Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences (II Cor 5:1).
