Wherever the principle of obedience is not in our hearts, all is wrong.
There is nothing but sin. The principle that actuates us in our conduct
should never be "I must do what I think right", but, "I ought
to obey God", Acts 5:29.

The apostle then says, "Pray for us; for we trust we have a
good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly". It is always the
snare of those who are occupied with the things of God continually, not
to have a "good conscience".

No person is so liable to fall, as one who is administering the
truth of God if he be not careful to maintain a "good conscience".
The continually talking about the truth, and being occupied about other people, has
a tendency to harden the conscience. The apostle does not say, Pray for
us, for we are laboring hard", and the like; but that which gives
him confidence in asking their prayers, is, that he has "a good conscience."

We see the same principle spoken of in 1 Tim. 1:19:"Holding faith,
and a good conscience, which some having put away, concerning faith have made
shipwreck." Where there is not diligence in seeking to maintain a "good conscience",
Satan comes in and destroys confidence between the soul and God, or we
get into false confidence. Where there is a sense of the presence of
God, there is the spirit of lowly obedience. The moment that a person
is very active in service, or has much knowledge and is put forward
in any way, in the church, there is danger of not having a
good conscience.