Sometimes I feel on top of the world. There is a song on my lips and a little pep in my step. I feel close to God and at peace in my soul. But, there can be other times when I’m down on myself and I feel like I’m just messing up. Maybe I’ve exchanged argumentative words with my husband, snapped at my daughter, grumbled in my soul or doubted God. Sometimes I can feel like I’m not doing such a great job at this “Christian” thing and God must be shaking His head indeed. Has that ever happened to you? Those days of ups and downs in performance, the roller coaster ride with your emotions and how you “feel”? It’s those low points when Satan can try to drown you in the quicksand of guilt.
That’s when it’s important to know and believe the truth of God’s Word. There is a difference between the convicting voice of God’s Spirit and the defeating whispers of Satan who wants to bind you in the chains of guilt. The Holy Spirit is grieved when we do not follow His guidance but His desire is always to reconcile us to God and promote change and spiritual growth so we can be effective ministers of God’s love. In contrast, Satan wants to estrange us from God and make us feel condemnation and unworthiness.
Feeling conviction is a good thing. Conviction is meant to be a catalyst for change. As a child of God, we can “ rest” in the truth that we are completely forgiven for our sins. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1)
Christ’s shed blood was a complete and finished work that covers EVERY sin - past, present, and future! That’s an amazing gift we should cherish!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;” (v2-4)
When the Holy Spirit convicts, it is not to make us feel that God is angry with us or will punish us. God loves us and does not condemn us for our sins. In contrast, He does not see our sins but Christ’s atonement which removes those sins from us.
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”(v8-12)
Do you get discouraged and feel that you don’t measure up to God’s expectations? That can be the breeding ground for depression and that binding guilt Satan wants to hold over you. But, this is how God sees you.
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.” (V13-14) God knows our human limitations and He wants us to rely on His strength and guidance. When we fall, He is there to pick us up and put us back on our feet. He wants the conviction of sin to remind us of our need for Him and to keep us seeking to grow in Christ.
Sin separated us from God. Christ’s shed blood gave us forgiveness for our sins and reconciled us to God. The Holy Spirit will convict us of sin in our lives as a catalyst for change and spiritual growth. Don’t allow Satan to derail you with lies and guilt. Always turn to Your loving Father who has completely forgiven you and accepted you. He doesn’t accept you because you are perfect and without flaws. He accepts you because His Son is perfect and without flaws!
“The difference between conviction and guilt can be seen in the direction we’re facing. If we’re looking toward the cross, it’s conviction. If we’re running away and hiding, it’s guilt. “Jack Kelley
