“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Pet. 3:15-17). In framing a response to those who ask us to give them a reason for what we believe, Peter adds to what we have already seen a proviso that we should keep a clear conscience. But what does that mean?

The word indicates “knowing with,” and means that what we know in our hearts and minds conforms to or with a standard. Someone can act in good conscience if what he thinks is in line with a false standard. Some can kill or commit other violent acts, or others can do something immoral if the standard they are following advocates such. However, Christians should follow God’s standard as revealed in His Word. Thus to maintain a good conscience is to know internally in line with what God’s Word teaches externally. There is conformity.

In regard to answering others, what we say should never flow from a heart filled with pride, envy, hatred, resentment, or a desire to hurt or inflict injury. Our defense of our religious beliefs should be out of a conscious intention to glorify God and to bless the inquirer with the good news of Christ

A good conscience would also demand that we adjust the weight of our response in terms of how important it really is. The defense of God’s honor, of the basic truths concerning the person and work of Christ and the Holy Spirit, and of the importance of faith to salvation should be presented with greater weight than some of the doctrines that we hold to with conviction and passion and yet are not essential to be known and understood for salvation.

All truth that God has revealed is important, and we should look for opportunities to convey in love and in a spirit of gentleness and respect all of the wonderful doctrines of grace. But we can become odious in a hurry if we insist that our hearers understand and accept all we believe to be true from the outset. Jesus spoke of the “weightier matters of the law,” and a good conscience demands that we agree with the Lord on what is weighty. Again, as we prepare to give our answer, the Spirit will give us discernment as to what is and what is not weighty.