Conviction not Accusation

One of the best lessons I have learnt about the character and nature of God versus the nature of the enemy is how they each make me feel after I have made a mistake.

Jesus taught us that the Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin and will guide us into all truth.

John 16: 8 - And when he [Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. (NLT)

John 16: 13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. (NLT)

Because the Holy Spirit is in our lives, we will know when we have departed from God’s will or direction. But the aim of this conviction and revelation of truth is not to make us feel guilty or hopeless. Instead, it is to cause us to repent and turn back to God. We are not left in our sin and the LORD does not remain angry or disappointed with us. When the Holy Spirit convicts me of my sin, I often feel it’s more like him saying to me, 'Jean, you can do better than that.' Or 'You know this isn’t the most optimal thing to do. But we can try again together.'

In contrast, the enemy, aka the accuser of the brethren, constantly points out our sin to us and leaves us in a state of hopelessness. He makes us feel that God has moved on from us and that we have no future and cannot recover from our mistakes. We are left feeling guilty, wanting to isolate from our communities and give up on whatever we are pursuing.

As soon as I get a hint of hopelessness or a feeling that I cannot recover, I know that it isn’t the voice of God speaking to me. The Holy Spirit convicts and does not condemn. God forgives, restores, and gives life. Anything else is not of him. Another great reason to be thankful!

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