Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Peter 3:16. It's a really important and comforting verse for believers! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is saying that even though people who don’t like us might be criticizing our good deeds, they’re likely going to feel ashamed of being wrong about them. They’ll recognize that their accusations are false and hurtful. Let's break it down word by word: “Having a good conscience” : This means being honest with yourself – feeling righteous and right in your heart. It’s about aligning your actions with what you believe is good and true. “…whereas they speak evil of you…” : This is the core of the message. They're criticizing us. "...as of evildoers..." : This is a strong way of saying they’re being malicious and unkind . “Evildoers” are people who do wrong and harm others. "...they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” : This is the key part. They're accusing us of something we’ve done – our words, our actions, or even our beliefs – but they’re doing it incorrectly and unfairly. They’re ashamed because their accusation isn’t true. Putting it all together: Peter is saying that people who are trying to criticize us might be feeling guilty about being harsh. However, he encourages us to hold onto our good thoughts and actions – our faith in Christ – because these are things that are truly good and worthy of respect. It's a reminder to stay true to ourselves and not let negativity from others affect our inner peace. Why is this important? This verse reminds us: Don’t let criticism bother you: It's okay for people to disagree with us, but it's not okay for them to be unkind or malicious about what we do. Focus on God: Our good conscience should center around God and our relationship with Him. Stay strong in faith: It encourages us to trust in God’s grace and the truth of our Christian beliefs, even when others are difficult. In short, this verse is a gentle reminder to stay true to yourself and your faith, regardless of what others say. --- Do you want me to: Explain it further with an example? Discuss its connection to other parts of the Bible?