Condemnation or Conviction?

What is the difference between these two words?  Does it matter?  I have had several conversations over the last few months about how important it is to distinguish between these two words.

Here is a brief explanation of the two words based on my opinion:

Condemnation is from Satan. Conviction is from the Holy Spirit.
8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Romans 8:1)
13 But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.  (John 16:13)
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)
How to distinguish the two?
Does it produce guilt, shame or fear?  It is condemnation.
Does it produce love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? It is conviction.
Does it make you want to hide or isolate yourself? It is condemnation.
Does it make you want to share with others? It is conviction.
Does it lead to exhaustion, striving, apathy, stagnation? It is condemnation.
Does it lead to spiritual growth, resting, fruit bearing? It is conviction.
Does it make you want to run away from God? It is condemnation.
Does it make you want to run toward God? It is conviction. 

What would you add?  Do you agree or disagree?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Comments

  1. Lori WildenbergMarch 18, 2014 at 9:06 AM

    JL.
    Thank you for posting this. We so often get the two mixed up. conviction draws us closer to God and condemnation further away. Being guilty and convicted is different than being condemned and frozen in guilt. One is motivating the other paralyzing.

    ReplyDelete

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