Even if our conscience condemns us,
God is greater than our conscience.
—1 John 3:19
The New English Bible translates 1 John 3:19 this way: “This is how we may know that we belong to the realm of truth, and convince ourselves in his sight that even if our conscience condemns us, God is greater than our conscience and knows all.”
You know things about you that nobody else knows. You know your weaknesses and secret sins. So your conscience pounces with a verdict of “Guilty!”
But the context of this verse shows that John is thinking of our confidence in God, not our dread of God. “God is greater than [your] conscience and knows all.” He knows your weaknesses and sins, but also your love and longings. He knows you, not only for what you are but for what you want to be. And he comes down on your side.
You don’t have to make
straight-A’s to please God.