God Promises to Convict You of Sin so You Can Lead a Good and Godly Life

Suggested Reading: I Thessalonians 1:1-11

And when he comes, we will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and—John 16:8

Can you see how conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit is necessary for living a good and godly life, making it a blessing also? The Spirit convicts through the Law, but not just in the legal sense, but that we will be brought to our senses and to repentance. The Spirit does not come to comfort, help or encourage only but also to convict to assure change is affected in our lives and heart. Good and godly living will not be attained by merely studying the ways of Christ, being faithful to read our daily devotions, or praying, conviction of sin must also accompany all these activities. The apostle Paul came to realize conviction of sin was necessary in order that he knew when he was wrong and living in opposition to Christ (Romans 5:20). Jesus went so far as to strike Paul down on his travels to Damascus when he was on his way to persecute Christians for their faith in the Lord. Paul was blinded, humbled, and brought to his right mind about the Christ he was persecuting; it was not a good feeling when he realized whom it was he was persecuting, but he was a changed man and added souls to the kingdom of God because of it. Paul submitted and became a powerful soldier for Christ. We may not like the feelings conviction exposes. We do not feel good with it. In fact, we may feel badly, dirty, unworthy, maybe have a sense of guilt, regret or remorse. That is actually a good thing. But God does not allow these feelings and emotions to come so they can have permanence, or distance us from him or cause us to feel disowned by him, but that they may serve us and help us see how we are living contrary to him. Conviction of sin, and as Paul says the law of God serves a purpose in our life to show us and make us aware that we are sinners in need of God’s grace, in fact, living under God’s grace and effecting change in our behavior. Recently I saw a sign that said, “God loves you as you are, but he loves you too much to leave you as you are.” And that is what God purposes through conviction. Conviction of sin becomes God’s powerful tool that we may lead a truly good and godly life and enjoy his blessings fully. This is true: where conviction of sin and unbelief enters, there is always grace and blessing that follow. Let’s Pray,

Lord God, feeling convicted is a terrible feeling. It is humbling and sometimes rouses feelings of shame, guilt, unworthiness and regret. Yet, without conviction we will not know we are doing wrong. Conviction therefore serves your purposes to make us see and turn us from our wickedness. Thank you that you use conviction to help and heal us, not as the devil uses to berate and destroy us. May we bring the conviction we experience in our soul to you in prayer and that we may experience healing, forgiveness or sin, and peace. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen