Overview
Conviction is a concept used often in the Bible and is central to understanding faith and biblical teachings. It’s used to describe personal conviction, conviction of sin and conviction of the Holy Spirit to name a few. It is defined as “a strong belief or opinion” or “a firmly held belief or opinion” and is often associated with a strong sense of moral obligation. Conviction is something that we carry with us and is determined both by the strength of our belief and the actions we take. There are many references in the Bible to conviction and how it helps us to live a godly life.
Personal Conviction in the Bible
The Bible speaks both of personal conviction and of the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Personal conviction is a fundamental part of faith. It is a belief and understanding of God’s Word that guides and drives us to live a holy life. In Romans 14:5, Paul writes “One man esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Here, Paul emphasizes that each individual must follow his own convictions as it is too dangerous to follow the convictions of others. Personal conviction is essential to living a godly life and is reflected throughout the Bible.
Conviction of Sin
The Bible speaks of the conviction of sin, which is a recognition of wrongdoing or guilty feelings. This is a feeling one gets in the heart when he has done something wrong. This feeling is caused by the Holy Spirit and is used to lead us to recognize our error and repent. In Ezekiel 32:21, it says “The strong among the mighty shall speak to him out of the midst of hell with them that help him: they have gone down, they lie uncircumcised, slain by the sword.” Here we can see that when one is convicted of sin, it brings him to a place of deep sorrow and regret. He must come to understand that his sins have consequences and must recognize the magnitude of his wrongdoing before he is able to move forward.
Conviction of the Holy Spirit
The Bible speaks of conviction from the Holy Spirit, which is a call to repentance and renewal. A conviction from the Holy Spirit comes in the form of an inner voice that speaks against our wrongs and leads us to righteousness. In John 16:8-11, Jesus says “And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” Here, we can see that the Holy Spirit calls us to recognize and repent of our sins and to believe in Jesus. When we are convicted by the Holy Spirit we must not resist it, but instead obey and embrace it.
The Benefit of Conviction in the Bible
The Bible continually encourages us to seek after the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which will lead us to righteousness. In Romans 8:1-4, it says “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The benefit of conviction expressed in these verses is that it brings us closer to God and leads us to a life of holiness, free from sin and guilt.
Fighting Against Conviction
The Bible is clear that when we are convicted of wrongdoing, we should not resist it. In Hebrews 10:26-27 it says “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” When we ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit and continue in our sinful ways, we will face severe consequences. It is important to recognize conviction when it happens and take steps to rectify it rather than burying it and trying to ignore it.
The Power of Conviction
Conviction is a powerful tool that the Holy Spirit uses to show us right from wrong and lead us in a godly life. In Isaiah 30:21, it says “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” This verse speaks of the power of conviction and how it will guide us in the right direction. It is important for us to recognize conviction and to respond to it before it is too late.
Controlling The Strength of Conviction
It is possible to control the strength of our conviction by making sure we spend time in prayer and study of the Bible. In Colossians 3:16 it says “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Spending time in the Word and in prayer allows us to understand God’s will and to live a life of conviction. When we seek Him with our whole heart, we can be strengthened and understand the importance of conviction in our lives.
Managing Temptations and Circumstances
Conviction is not always easy to maintain, especially when we are faced with temptation and conflict. In Proverbs 7:5 it says “That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” This verse speaks of the dangers of temptation and how important it is to stay on the path of conviction that we have chosen. While it is not always easy to do, we must remember that conviction is a powerful tool that God has given us to help us stay on the path of righteousness.
Living according to Conviction
Conviction is something that all Christians should strive for. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, it says “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” In this verse, we are encouraged to be steadfast and unmovable in our faith, always striving to live according to our convictions. The Bible encourages us to stand firm in our faith and to courageously live out our convictions no matter what circumstances we face.
Knowing When to Change
Having convictions is important, but we must also understand that our convictions can change over time. In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul writes “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul is reminding us that our convictions can (and should) change as we grow. As we seek God, our convictions should also grow and mature, so it is important to be open to change instead of holding too tightly to preconceived ideas.
Resisting Compromise
Though we may have convictions that differ from those around us, we must never compromise them. In Proverbs 28:4 it says “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.” Our convictions are not meant to be taken lightly but must be defended. We should never compromise our convictions, no matter what pressures we face. Instead, we should stand firm and be willing to fight for what we believe in.
Staying Strong
Having convictions is a difficult but worthwhile endeavor. Our convictions should be based on our faith in God and His Word, not on other people’s opinions or our own desires. We must stay strong in our convictions, no matter what the world throws at us. In Romans 12:2, it says “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Our convictions must never be compromised, no matter what the world tells us.
Conclusion
Conviction is a powerful tool that the Holy Spirit uses to lead us in righteousness and to live a godly life. It is something that we carry with us and must never compromise. The Bible continually encourages us to seek after the conviction of the Holy Spirit, which will lead us to a life of holiness and freedom from sin and guilt. It is important for us to recognize conviction when it happens and take steps to rectify it rather than burying it and trying to ignore it.
