Now Samuel said to all Israel: “Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. And now here is the king, walking before you; and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. Here I am. Witness against me before the Lord and before His anointed: Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any bribe with which to blind my eyes? I will restore it to you.” And they said, “You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.” 1 Samuel 12:1-4
Having a clear conscience means that there is no barrier between us and God or anyone else. It means that we are careful with our words, actions, and attitudes. When we do offend others and/or God, we repent quickly and admit our wrong to all involved. A clear conscience means that we deal with every sin we may have committed against every person. It means that we know we are right with everyone and we have no shame. Having a clear conscience means to have no unconfessed sin between you and God and others.
The Old Testament prophet Samuel was a respected man of God in Israel. He was faithful in his spiritual role. He was stable and reliable when the nation was in chaos. In the above passage, Samuel was at this time an old man and well known among the people. Samuel was considered the last of the judges and the first of the prophets, God called Samuel as a child.
If Samuel was a well known, respected man of God today, how would he have reworded his speech in today’s society? Why do you think Samuel could be vulnerable and transparent with the people he led? Can you be vulnerable and transparent with your group of people? Could we be like Samuel and stand before everyone we know and have no one accuse of doing wrong to them and failing to make it right? What does this passage tell us about Samuel’s character?
His character reflects that he had a clear conscience amongst the people and with God. His life illustrated this beautifully. He is a great role model for all of us. Do you think if you were to do what Samuel did with His people, that you would get the same response from your people or would you get a different response? What do you need to do today to have a clear conscience before God and others? How do we live this daily?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for giving us a role model to show us how to live a clear conscience life. I pray that we have a desire to be in right relationship with God and with others. Please give us the boldness and humility to own up to what we have wronged others.
In Jesus Name
Amen
