In Hebrews 13:18 the author writes: “Pray for us, we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” That is quite a statement to make: “we are sure that we have a good conscience.” I wonder how many of us could honestly write the same thing? And yet it should be the goal for each of us!

He gives us something of a definition of that good conscience in the second part of the verse: “desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.” Among other things, these words define the scope of having a good conscience: it is in “ALL things.” It is not sufficient in maintaining a good conscience to conduct yourself honorably in SOME things; it must be in ALL things:

— it is not enough to conduct yourself honorably at church; you must conduct yourself honorably at work and at home too!
— it is not enough to conduct yourself honorably regarding sexual morality; you must conduct yourself honorably regarding your business transactions and what you pass along about others as well!

In order to maintain a good conscience, it is necessary to “conduct yourself honorably in ALL things.” That is quite a challenge — in fact, it is a challenge that is beyond any of us, which is why at the end of the day we must all cast ourselves upon the grace of God in Jesus Christ!

Hebrews 13:18 should be a cause for evaluation for each of us: Are YOU “sure” that you have a good conscience? Are you conducting yourself honorably in ALL things? And when you have fallen short of this standard, have you brought your failures and shortcomings to the Lord and found His forgiveness?