1. 1 Peter 3:13-22

2. Guilt of Sin Devastating Devastating Physically- loss of health, weariness (Psalm 32:1-4) Physically- loss of health, weariness (Psalm 32:1-4) Spiritually- separation from God (Isaiah 59:1, Romans 6:23) Spiritually- separation from God (Isaiah 59:1, Romans 6:23)

3. Value Indians determined who was lying by placing a heated knife blade on the tongue exposing the liar whos tongue was dry Indians determined who was lying by placing a heated knife blade on the tongue exposing the liar whos tongue was dry Same principle as in lie detector tests Same principle as in lie detector tests

4. Definition Webster Dictionary Webster Dictionary “The sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s conduct” “The sense or consciousness of the moral goodness or blameworthiness of one’s conduct” One either approves or disapproves of his conduct (Romans 2:15) One either approves or disapproves of his conduct (Romans 2:15)

5. Definition Vine’s Expository Dictionary Vine’s Expository Dictionary “A knowing with … the witness borne to one’s conduct by conscience, the faculty by which we apprehend the will of God, as that which is designed to govern our lives; hence (a) the sense of guiltiness before God; (b) that process of thought which distinguished what it “A knowing with … the witness borne to one’s conduct by conscience, the faculty by which we apprehend the will of God, as that which is designed to govern our lives; hence (a) the sense of guiltiness before God; (b) that process of thought which distinguished what it

6. Definition Vine’s Expository Dictionary (cont) Vine’s Expository Dictionary (cont) considers morally good or bad, commending the good, condemning the bad and so prompting to do the former, and avoid the latter” (Romans 2:15) considers morally good or bad, commending the good, condemning the bad and so prompting to do the former, and avoid the latter” (Romans 2:15) “Cowardice asks, Is it safe? Expediency asks, Is it politic? Vanity asks, Is it popular? Conscience asks, Is it right? (William Punshon) “Cowardice asks, Is it safe? Expediency asks, Is it politic? Vanity asks, Is it popular? Conscience asks, Is it right? (William Punshon)

7. A Clean Conscience How? How? Training only supplies some standard (Acts 23:1; 24:16; 26:9) Training only supplies some standard (Acts 23:1; 24:16; 26:9) Sin defiles the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2) Sin defiles the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2) Eventually becomes the basic nature of the person (Titus 1:15) Eventually becomes the basic nature of the person (Titus 1:15) Beware of the cords of sin (Proverbs 5:22) Beware of the cords of sin (Proverbs 5:22)

8. A Clean Conscience Conscience needs cleansing Conscience needs cleansing Possible through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:13, 14) Possible through the blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:13, 14) Appeal made in baptism initially (1 Peter 3:21) Appeal made in baptism initially (1 Peter 3:21) Afterward cleansed through repentance, confession, and prayer (Acts 8:22, 23; 1 John 1:9) Afterward cleansed through repentance, confession, and prayer (Acts 8:22, 23; 1 John 1:9)

9. Benefits Sign of maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14) Sign of maturity (Hebrews 5:12-14) Tells us we are growing Tells us we are growing Does your conscience trouble you? (Proverbs 28:1) Does your conscience trouble you? (Proverbs 28:1) Do not violate your conscience (Romans 14:23) Do not violate your conscience (Romans 14:23)

10. Benefits Gives us confidence (Romans 2:21-24) Gives us confidence (Romans 2:21-24) The other extreme: “Everyone sins” The other extreme: “Everyone sins” Maybe this is why we do not “give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15) Maybe this is why we do not “give an answer” (1 Peter 3:15)

11. Benefits Power to overcome temptation (James 1:12-16) Power to overcome temptation (James 1:12-16) Failed attempts to overcome us are stepping stones to greater faith Failed attempts to overcome us are stepping stones to greater faith Do you want to go back to the slavery of sin? (Romans 6:16-18) Do you want to go back to the slavery of sin? (Romans 6:16-18)

12. Benefits Ability to build proper relationships (Proverbs 28:13) Ability to build proper relationships (Proverbs 28:13) We cannot cover up sin (1 John 2:1, 2) We cannot cover up sin (1 John 2:1, 2) We avoid the faithful when we have a guilty conscience We avoid the faithful when we have a guilty conscience

13. Conclusion Is your conscience clean” Is your conscience clean” Why not cleanse it in the blood of Christ? Why not cleanse it in the blood of Christ?