God Convicts

Entering Into God’s Presence
Knowing God Through His Works & Ways (VERBS)

To Study and Ponder

• The word ‘convict’ - Greek elegcw : by conviction to bring to the light, to expose, to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation (Online Bible)

• Enoch prophesied that the LORD will come and “will convict every person of all the ungodly things they have done and for all the insults that ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (Jude 15). Similarly, Jesus says that the Spirit “will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” John 16:8 (He is the Spirit of truth Jn 14:17,15:26)

• God does not shame us into repentance, nor does he manipulate us with fear. Instead he produces change in our life through his loving conviction. He woos us out of our sin and into a place of restored relationship with himself.

  • -  Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Ro.2:4

  • -  And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (Proverbs 3:11-12)

    - I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Rev.3:19 (‘correct’ is the word translated as ‘convict’ elsewhere in the NT)

    - ... true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. Romans 2:29b

• God brings conviction out of His love for us –‘God’s jealousy is that of a lover who longs for and demands the exclusive attention, worship and faithfulness of His people, His
  bride.’ “Beholding the Beauty of God” p.106 Greg Wiley. (Ex.34:14, Prov.27:4, SofS 8:6, Zech.8:2 -more on God is Jealous p.106-107)

• The Holy Spirit convicts people of their sinful behavior towards God and others. As the message of the Jesus is spoken and or preached the Holy Spirit exposes what is inside of their hearts. For an amazing account of the conviction of sin read the sermon “Sinners in the hands of an angry God” by Jonathan Edwards. (http://www.ccel.org/ccel/edwards/sermons.sinners.html) or read some of the accounts of W.P. Nicholson in Ireland. (There was such deep conviction of sin each time this man preached that people would charge the altar, they would shred hymnals and dig their finger nails into the pews as they listened to him preach. Duncan Campbell would often speak on YWAM schools of the Hebrides revival, and there was much conviction and repentance of sin. Every great revival outpouring throughout history has been accompanied by conviction of sin by the Holy Spirit, which leads to repentance.

• God brings conviction as He examines and sees the inner parts of us - our hearts. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. Psalm 11:4b. (see also IChron.29:17; 17:3; 26:1-3; 139:1, 23-24)

• PeterpreachedhisfirstsermononthedayofPentecost,recordedinActs2.Peter’swords pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” v.37. That is conviction of sin! No altar call, no sound system or music, just the deep and powerful conviction by the Holy Spirit through Peter’s words. When the Holy Spirit convicts it is no longer OK to mess with sin, to break God’s laws, to live selfishly or walk in your own ways.

• Paul writes to the Corinthians that we are the aroma of Christ... to some we are the aroma of life and to others we are the aroma of death = conviction. (2Cor 2:15-16)

• Conscience is the part that God has placed in man to indicate ‘yes’ or ‘no’:-
- Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they

instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. Romans 2:14-15

- When Jesus spoke to the accusers of the woman caught in adultery, then wrote in the dust ...those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one ... John 8:9a (NKJV)

• It is important to understand the difference between conviction and condemnation. Though we need to be open to God’s conviction we should resist condemnation because “there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1).

Conviction
is from God
addresses a specific sin
gives a solution/way out
creates a sense of hope
is accompanied by loving affirmation

Condemnation
is from Satan
creates a general sense of sinfulness gives no solution
leads to hopelessness and despair
is accompanied by depreciating insults

Memory/Meditation
Lower Grades: And when he(Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of

God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. John 16:8 (NLT)
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. Psalm 139:1 (NLT)

Middle Grades: ..... “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT) (Proverbs 3:11-12)

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

Upper Grades: Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 (NLT)

And when he(Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me. Righteousness is available because I go to the Father, and you will see me no more. Judgment will come because the ruler of this world has already been judged. John 16:8-11 (NLT)