There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1 KJV
It doesn’t sound like it, but conviction is a good thing. It serves a useful purpose in the life of seekers and believers. Conviction points out the errors in our lives.
It’s important to say this: Conviction is different from condemnation. Conviction can be defined as “convincing someone of an error.” Condemnation can be defined as “sentencing to punishment.”
Conviction seeks to stop you from stepping off a cliff. Condemnation seeks to shove you off a cliff. Conviction points to improvement, not imprisonment. It’s a subtle, but critical difference.
When the Holy Spirit convicts, there’s a yearning to make things right. In the long-run, we’re thankful for the experience. Despite the short-run discomfort.
Condemnation is an ugly declaration of penalty and separation. There is no effort to restore or repair in condemnation. All of the energy goes to punishment of the prisoner.
It’s a subtle but important difference. Conviction concerns itself with simple correction: Making it right. Condemnation cares only for the penalty phase.
God, our heavenly Father wants to restore us in loving fellowship. The enemy of your soul wants to accuse, then condemn. Surely, you can see the difference.
Think : Conviction is the Holy Spirit pointing in a better direction.
Pray: “Lord, guide me away from my error and toward Your righteousness.”
Copyright © May 2010, Kirk Hunt