How to Gain a Clear Conscience (Part 2)

Posted on August 26, 2019 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. Acts 24:16

Welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighters. We deeply appreciate you dialing in with us each week.

Last week I shared with some ways to identify those whom you have offended. Those questions are deep and penetrating, and I trust you have worked through them.

Today I want to share with you the steps you can take to make things right with those you have offended so that you can have a clear conscience.

I can’t take credit for these principles – they come from the Institute in Basic Life Principles.

The bottom line is that if there is an offense you and I have two choices. We can either ignore making it right, or we can take the biblical steps to ask forgiveness.

Failure to take the steps of asking forgiveness will eat at you, cause you heartache and grief that will impact all of your relationships. If you don’t believe me, how often does your offense come back to your mind? It’s hard to ignore.

If you remember the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15:12-21, you will be reminded that when he came to his senses, he rehearsed in his mind the confession to his father.

Here are three principles to asking forgiveness from the Institute of Basic Life Principles:

1. Identify the basic offense. Put yourself in the other person’s place. Relive the offense through their eyes, considering what they must have felt and thought. The offense usually involves an underlying attitude such as ungratefulness, disrespect, dishonesty, self-centeredness, pride, or laziness. Confess your sinful attitudes and specific actions, and ask for forgiveness for them.
2. Demonstrate sincere repentance and humility. Before you go to another person to seek forgiveness for an offense, repent before God and ask for His cleansing and forgiveness. Then as you go to the offended person, let your attitude and manner reflect the humility of one who is asking for something he does not deserve. Be careful not to hint that you “weren’t so bad” or that “they were wrong too.”

You must avoid making the following PRIDEFUL statements:

• “I was wrong, but you were too.”
• “I’m sorry about it, but it wasn’t all my fault.”
• “IF I’ve been wrong, please forgive me.

3. Be prepared to make restitution. This is huge. Your confession should be accompanied by restitution for any personal loss that the offended one encountered in the situation. If you are unable to make full restitution at this time, share your plans to do so as soon as possible.

Here is a sample of a request for forgiveness: God has convicted me of how wrong I have been in ______________ (basic sinful attitude and offense.) I’ve come to ask, “Will you forgive me?”

Next week I will make some additional observations and share a couple of illustrations with you. Heavy stuff, but necessary.

Relentlessly pursuing Christ,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

Think About This:  “The torture of a bad conscience is the hell of a living soul.” ― John Calvin

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 119:89-176, 2 Corinthians 5| You can download our 2018 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. – Psalm 139:7-8

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.