What is the conviction of sin?

Answer

The Bible teaches us that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of sin, as stated in (John 16:8). To comprehend the concept of sin conviction, it is helpful to understand what it is not. Firstly, it is not merely a guilty conscience or feelings of shame over sin, as these are commonly felt by most individuals. However, these do not constitute true conviction of sin.

Secondly, conviction of sin is not a sense of fear or anticipation of divine punishment, although these emotions are frequently present in the hearts and minds of sinners. True conviction of sin goes beyond these feelings.

Thirdly, conviction of sin is not just an awareness of right and wrong or an intellectual agreement with the Scriptures’ teachings on sin. Many individuals may read the Bible and acknowledge that “the wages of sin is death,” as mentioned in (Romans 6:23). They might understand that “no immoral, impure, or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God,” as stated in (Ephesians 5:5). They may even agree with the warning that “the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”God. », (Psalm 9:17). Yet, despite their knowledge, they persist in living in sin. They comprehend the consequences, yet they are far from feeling convicted of their sins.

The reality is, if we only feel a twinge of conscience, anxiety about judgment, or a theoretical understanding of hell, then we have never truly experienced the conviction of sin. So, what is genuine conviction, the type the Bible talks about?

The term convict is a rendering of the Greek word elencho, which signifies “to persuade someone of the truth; to rebuke; to accuse, refute, or interrogate a witness.” The Holy Spirit functions as a prosecuting attorney who exposes wickedness, rebukes wrongdoers, and convinces individuals that they require a Savior.

To be convicted is to sense the utter repulsiveness of sin. This occurs when we have beheld God’s magnificence, His purity and holiness, and when we acknowledge that sin cannot coexist with Him «For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Neither shall evil dwell with thee. », (Psalm 5:4). When Isaiah found himself in the presence of God, he was immediately struck by his own sinfulness: “Woe to me! . . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips . . . and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty” «Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. », (Isaiah 6:5).

To be convicted is to undergo a complete horror of sin. Our stance toward sin becomes like that of Joseph who fled from temptation, exclaiming, “How could I do this great evil and sin against God?” «there is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: h

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? », (Genesis 39:9).

We are convicted when we become mindful of how much our sin dishonors God. When David was convicted by the Holy Spirit, he cried out, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” «Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: That thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. », (Psalm 51:4). David saw his sin primarily as an affront to a holy God.

We are convicted when we become intensely aware of the wrath it exposes to our souls (Romans 1:18;Romans 2:5). When the Philippian jailer fell at the apostles’ feet and cried, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” he was under conviction «and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? », (Acts 16:30). He was certain that, without a Savior, he would die.

When the Holy Spirit convicts people of their sin, He represents the righteous judgment of God «For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. », (Hebrews 4:12). There is no appeal of this verdict. The Holy Spirit not only convicts people of sin, but He also brings them to repentance (Acts 17:30;Luke 13:5). The Holy Spirit brings to light our relationship to God. The convicting power of the Holy Spirit opens our eyes.

Conviction of sin leads us to acknowledge our sin and opens our hearts to receive His grace. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”, (Ephesians 2:8).

We thank the Lord for the conviction of sin because without it, there could be no salvation. No one is saved apart from the Spirit’s convicting and regenerating work in the heart. The Bible teaches that all people are by nature rebels against God and hostile to Jesus Christ. They are “dead in trespasses and sins” “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”, (Ephesians 2:1). Jesus said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”, (John 6:44). Part of that “draw” to Jesus is the conviction of sin.