“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16).

There is a difference between being perfect and being sincere. With God, sincerity is the rule of the game, not perfection (Psalms 51:6). No man is perfect, only God is. We are all journeying towards perfection. In following God, wanting to be right is a better posture than claiming to be right. You would miss it sometimes. Your heart will trick you and fail you.

Your flesh would want to gain control and determine the direction of your life. You would fumble; think negative thoughts (harboring offences and stuff like that), say things you ought not to say, do stuff you ought not to do. But don’t be discouraged or write off yourself. It only shows that you are not perfect and that you are desperately in need of a Saviour. Your posture and response at such times must not be to run away from God but to run towards Him.

Learn to run towards God when you fail, and not away from Him. Don’t write off yourself. Don’t give up on your pursuit of uprightness and truth. Your attitude and response must not be that of condemnation but that of awareness and assurance of God’s love in your heart and life. This is how to daily gain victory over the tricks of the heart and flesh. This is how to exercise yourself to have a clear conscience towards God and men.

Yes, your clear conscience must be first towards God, and then men. This is where a lot of people miss it; they want to please men without first pleasing God (Galatians 1:10). Listen, anytime you place men before God in your life and decisions you would struggle to keep up with the demands of life and people. It is as we exercise ourselves to have a clear conscience towards God that we begin to receive the empowerment of Grace and Wisdom to live right with men.

Placing God ahead of man in our pursuit of a clear conscience would help us to see men in the light of God. It helps us to relate with men with a heart made right by God. Never make the mistake of putting men ahead of God. But ultimately, you would need to have a clear conscience with men. What does this mean? You would need to do your best to do what is right before men. This is actually living out our God-heart for all to see. The truth is, nobody else sees your heart but God (1 Samuel 16:7). But our heart is seen by men via our acts. Our heart and acts must align.

May you learn to trust the perfection of God enabling you to journey towards perfection in Jesus name!

It’s a blessed day for you!

Go and win with Jesus!

© ‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria