Clearing Your Conscience || What is Integrity || Week 3 (FINALE)

Let’s wrap up our conservation about integrity this week! Over the past two weeks, we talked about what integrity is and is not and the importance of honesty. We continue the conversation today by learning the benefits of clearing your conscience. Our starting scripture comes from Hebrews 13:18. 

18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. 

Here’s the context for this verse. Hebrews 13 is about making sacrifices that are pleasing to God. Not sacrifices like you would read about in the Old Testament, but sacrifices you and I can make today. Things like showing hospitality to strangers, remembering those in need, honoring marriages, not being greedy, and more (2-5). The author continues to say that we should remember those faith leaders that taught us about the Word of God and act as they would. This is for leaders that don’t abuse their position. You are not to act as leaders to use the scripture for their own agenda (7-10). The author then talks about the importance of sacrificing animals and connects it to the sacrifices listed earlier (11-16). Verse 17 talks about the importance of following good leaders and responding to their teachings because of the importance of the shepherds guiding their sheep. Then comes verse 18. 

I read verse 18, then, as a sacrifice, we should make a follower of Christ. The leaders ask the audience to pray for them to have a clear conscience and act honorably, but we should as well. Another consistent thing that shows up in the reference scriptures is the importance of praying for others. 1 Thessalonians 5:25 and 2 Thessalonians 3:1 both call attention to praying for others. 

1 Thess 5:25 Brothers pray for us. 

2 Thess 3:1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you. 

This was a widespread way for Paul to end his letters. Paul was big on having his communities pray for his ministries to continue flourishing positively. I think that’s something to work within our lives. 

Clearing our conscience can lift so many weights. There may be truths you’re holding on to. It could be telling your mom her cooking was bleh (like a 5-lb weight). It could be having that tough conversation with your significant other that it may be time to split (that’s more like a 50-lb weight). These weights may feel easy to carry day-to-day, but imagine carrying 10 5-lb weights because you value making others happy over being honest. Add on a couple 50-lb weights as well with deciding your future regarding your career or your relationship. My guess is that you may be crumbling under all this weight. 

I know it’s not easy to tell everyone the truth, especially those you are close with and value their relationship heavily. We frequently want to keep things smooth without rocking the boat, but sometimes we just have to. One of the easiest ways to get prepared for this is my prayer. Talking to God can be a great way to unload those weights. To hand each one over to God to put on his own rack to bench. Prayer can get us centered emotionally to deal with the feelings that come up. Prayer can get us centered mentally to say what we need to say, how we need to say it, and how to handle possible responses. Prayer can get us centered physically to learn how to manage our body language, not hold the tension and anxiety in, and prepare for the discomfort. Even though prayer is usually between you and God, you can even invite others in. Surrounding yourself with Christ-centered friends that will support you through the good and the bad is an incredible feeling. Prayer is so powerful that Paul asked each city he planted a church in to continue the hope to spread God’s word. He asked this in Rome, Ephesus, Colossae, and through Philemon, who was a representative to the church in Colossae. He leaned on these big cities for support to continue sharing God’s word to cities like Corinth, Philippi, and Thessalonica. 

May you clear your conscience with God and others today. It will be a challenging time shedding those weights, but the yoke we receive from God is light. Let me close with Matthew 11:28-30. 

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you  will find rest for your souls. 

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.