This is also a good time to mention a few of the main differences between conviction and condemnation as well. 

 

One of the Holy Spirit’s goals is to convict us of sin and point us to Jesus always. But what the world does, religion does, and sadly even sometimes other believers do is try and use condemnation to change us.

 

Romans 8:1,2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

 

To keep this simple, this is what condemnation looks like:

 

-       It tries to make us feel bad without giving us any real hope or answers

-       It deals with outward things and takes an outside-in approach

-       Leaves the person feeling defeated

-       Leads to little if any change, and it is usually short-lived relying on stringent adherence to rules, creeds, or religious tenets

 

Conviction from the Holy Spirit:

 

-       Takes an inside-out approach

-       Always leads to the Answer, Jesus

-       Brings about true and lasting positive change

-       Makes the person feel bad about the sin, but leaves them with Hope, and a sense of who they are and could be in Christ

 

True Biblical Mourning over sin is not something we do only when giving our lives to the Lord, but rather it is something that we continually come back to in various ways and at various times and always accompanies the Holy Spirit conviction and a wonderful reminder of who Jesus is, what He has done for us, and what He longs to do in us and through us! It is a beautiful reminder of just how much God so loves us!

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