Proverbs 28:1 Commentary and Bible Study

Here is a factor which is often left out of the reckoning. If we were to ask most people what gives boldness and courage, they would probably say that it comes from strong passion, from single-mindedness, from a readiness to face hardship and danger because the cause is worth more than any loss they may suffer. Courage comes from a mind focused on some great objective, some goal of immense value. It might be something for themselves, or it might be a benefit for others. The desire to achieve this goal has become more important than personal comfort or even personal security. But this verse identifies a good conscience as a factor which is even more significant. We are invited to consider how conscience works and what a great influence it has on our resolve.Solomon begins a number of proverbs on the conscience by considering what a good conscience does to strengthen a man, and what a bad conscience does to undermine him. A world that talks down moral integrity is hardly likely to recognise this. A good conscience gives a secret strength to a man, for the conscience is consulted in every action of the heart: in every word spoken, in every decision, in every recollection, in every plan for the future. A man with a bad conscience is like someone with a painful leg which cannot bear his weight. If he tries to run, the pain stops him moving freely and easily and his pain betrays itself in his uneven gait. If he tries to do his normal skilled work, he does it with discomfort and awkwardness. A bad conscience undermines us in every endeavour, for it is as if we are going to have to go back and redo whatever we start; it is as if when we build the house we are going to have to tear down our work and begin again with better materials. A bad conscience erodes peace, for it tells us that whatever good we do is outweighed by something even more important which will bring us down eventually. He who proceeds with a bad conscience is aware that nothing he does can succeed. Above all it tells us that God is not with us and it is chiefly this that steals from our boldness. If we have a good conscience, we may indeed have weakness in the body, but we are ready to face any enemy, any adversity, because the Lord who is stronger than all is on our side. The lion does not bother to ask what other beasts are abroad in the forest; it knows that it is the master of all it encounters. A good conscience does not fear bad news, nor does it fear the future, for all events including future events are in God’s hands and he will allow no harm to come to those he has chosen and loves.