**Daily Devotional** **December 8** *16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. - 1 Peter 3:16-17 (KJV)* Peter had just been teaching that we Christians need to be a good witness for Christ, and to do so, he is saying that we need to have a good conscience, as if our conscience is not good, it will make our witness shipwreck (1 Timothy 1:19). If you are not living a holy life, then your witness will not be good, but if you live according to the bible, then those that see your lifestyle (conversation), will be ashamed if they have falsely accused you of evil. It all boils down to the fact that we need to live a holy life, as Christ did (1 Peter 1:15), and let our light shine through our good deeds (Matthew 5:16), and this will keep people from speaking evil of you, and accusing you of being a hypocrite. It is always much better to suffer from well doing, then for evil doing, as when we suffer for Christ, we will reap rewards in heaven (Romans 8:17-18), and be glorified with Jesus. If we suffer for wrongdoing, then there are not rewards, only suffering, and that is not pleasing to God, but is pleasing to the devil. God does not put suffering, or temptations, on His children (James 1:13), but the devil does, as he comes to steal, kill and destroy us (John 10:10). The wonderful thing is, that Jesus gave us power over the devil, and if you are submitted to God, and resist (actively fight against) the devil, he will have to flee from you (James 4:7). Thank you Jesus for giving us power over the evil one, and if you are born again, use that power to stomp on the devils head, when he brings evil against you. Praise God for sending His Son to give us power over the evil one. Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com