Conviction or Condemnation...Knowing the Difference

When I was a new Christian, I always got this confused, yet I knew that confusion is not of the Lord. That should have told me something in my spirit but instead, I would have to experience this difference on my own. It took me some years before understanding fully, what these were and how I could tell the difference between the two. Let's explore some of those differences by first turning to the inspired Scriptures and hear what God has to say about them.

Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Condemnation is either from Satan or our sinful hearts. Conviction is a gift from the Holy Spirit. Then again in John 3:17-18, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (18) He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Begotten Son of God."

Breaking Free from Condemnation

It is important for those of us who are born again Christians, to know that there is a huge difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the enemy of our faith, because it can affect how we approach life. It can dictate whether we remain in bondage or we find our freedom! Let there be no confusion here. The Holy Spirit works to convict us to push away from the ensnarement of sin (doing what is wrong) and move our hearts and minds toward God in freedom. The condemning spirit of the enemy of our faith, that is Satan, works to push us away from God in shame, guilt and condemnation, so we are more prone in hopelessness, to continue to do what we should NOT. To help you further to discern the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the devil, I'm going to share with you some principles, examples and scriptural references that will surely empower you in your spiritual and personal life.

1) Condemnation causes us to turn away from God in fear, dread, and shame. Conviction causes us to come to God and freshly place our faith in the perfect life and death of Christ.
2) Condemnation leads us to believe that we’ll never change and that we aren't worthy of God's love. Conviction gives us hope that, even though we sinned, God is still at work in us.
3) Condemnation paralyzes faith for change, keeping us in bondage. Conviction bears the fruit of faith for change, freeing us to fully grow in the love of God.
4) Condemnation causes us to wallow in despair and self-pity. Conviction leads to God-centered hope.
5) Condemnation sees God as an angry judge who is waiting in the shadows to strike at any moment. Conviction sees God as a loving Father who disciplines his children through His love for us.
6) Condemnation is inward, self-focused, and always dwelling on the fact that we have sinned. Conviction is outward, God-focused, and always dwelling on the fact that we have sinned against God.

The tone of the enemy's voice is always going to be accusatory, nagging and mocking as a way to generate fear, shame and confusion in order to project rejection. He's the father of lies, deceitful and pretends to know what's best for you. John 8:44 confirms this, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” The tone of the Holy Spirit is the Loving voice of our Father, imploring, beseeching and urging our return to Him …as we’re told in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy laden…” And in John 12:32 where Jesus says, “…I will draw all men to myself.”

“Remember all of your past” says the enemy: The devil replays, and replants, the past memories of our sin, guilt and shame. He draws up accounts of your past sins, failures and offenses that are under the blood because the ONLY thing he can do to condemn us in our flesh is to make us rehash our past. He can't do anything new so he resorts to replaying our past transgressions. “FORGET YOUR PAST!” is the Holy Spirit speaking: The Holy Spirit tells you your sin is forgotten, cleansed, removed, covered and put away, never to be held against you again. (see: John 1:29; Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:7-9; Psalm 51:7; Micah 7:19; Hebrews 10:17; Philippians 3:13; Matthew 12:31; Psalm 34:7-8) Once we have believed on the sacrifice of the Son of God, in His birth, death and resurrection, repented of our sins, and accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, then as Jesus said at the cross, “It is finished!”

The Holy Spirit Speaks

The enemy works to isolate you: Suggestions are made to you that cause you to withdraw from other Christians and he works on you to think that they reject you. In your isolation, you then feel lonely, hurt, unworthy, rejected by others and angry. 2 Corinthians 4:4 says, “...whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel if the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” He works to divide you from others. THE HOLY SPIRIT DRAWS YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP: The Spirit sends others to minister to you in love — thus you learn to accept others words of encouragement and to appreciate one another and their ministry to you (see: 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25). He sends others to open your eyes to turn from darkness and into light so you can receive forgiveness (see: Acts 26:18). He works to unite us in love with other believers. Luke 22:31-32 reminds us of this, “And the Lord said, “Simon! Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. (32) “But I have prayed for you, that your faith not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

There are many more examples of their differences, but I wouldn't have enough time, nor space, to continue in this study. So, what, then, is the purpose of the enemy in accusing and condemning us? It's to draw us away from God and to make us helpless, to ourselves and to others, while making us useless to God and others! What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit convicting us? It's to draw us to God and to each other and to help us to be all we can be! He wants us to stay close to His bosom, follow His light and walk on His path so that we can be of use to His people as well as to become who He wants us to be! As you go with God, you will push away that which you shouldn't be holding on to, releasing the strongholds and embracing that which you should hold onto through His guidance —with His strength, not your own. The emphasis is that we’re to study all that God is in the Bible. We need to keep in mind that God is strong and He does not tolerate sin. He is our judge, but He is a fair judge who disciplines us because He loves us, always wanting to draw us to Himself  —not push us away from Himself.


blogs directory