The Conviction of Sin

Scripture: John 16:8, Romans 8:1, 1 John 1:9, John 3:17

Have you ever made a choice and then immediately regretted it? Whether that’s cheating on a test, lying to your parents, saying something hurtful to a friend, or watching a show you know you shouldn't be watching, you immediately feel awful for it. Your thoughts start to spiral, and you get a pit in your stomach, and it weighs on you. We all know the feeling and that sense of “doing something wrong.” If you follow Jesus, that’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you.

God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us in making decisions. He helps us know whether we’re honoring Him or making compromises with our choices. I want to be clear here: The Holy Spirit doesn’t speak shame over us, instead He gently convicts us over our wrongdoing. We must identify which voice is speaking to us before we allow it to inform us of how we think and feel. The voice of shame is accusatory, judgmental, and critical. It sounds like, “I messed up again; I’ll never learn,” “I’m broken,” or “God is upset with me.” That’s not the voice of our Savior, as He would never leave us feeling alone, rejected, and guilty.

The voice of conviction is gracious, correcting, and gentle. It sounds like, “I’m not going to make that choice again because it doesn’t please the Lord.” Or, “I know what I did was wrong, Lord, I'm sorry. Thank You for your forgiveness. ” It’s a feeling of godly sorrow, which leaves us free, redeemed, and clear-minded. We feel this way because His loving kindness leads us to repentance. The Bible tells us that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 (NJKV).

When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, we no longer desire to make choices that go against what the Lord desires for us. Our desire for things of this world lessens, and our appetite for the things of God increases.

Pray

Dear heavenly Father, we come to You in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, asking that You would lead us to make decisions that would bring us into a deeper relationship with You. Please help us to discern the voice that’s speaking and reject the lies of shame. Help us quickly turn from sin and embrace abundant life in You! Amen.