We, so often, accuse others, judge them, convict them, and then try to sentence them to a lifetime of unforgiveness. How? We see each other as we desire to see them, not as God is making them to be.
A lot of times we face problems in our home, where there is deception, manipulation, cheating, and lying, and because these offenses have been committed against us, we label the person as a liar, deceiver, manipulator, or just no good. Because we’ve accused this person of being this, we convict him and it remains on his record for life, and we sentence them to a lifetime of mistreatment and abuse because we want them to pay for the wrong they’ve done.
If the spirit within that person doesn’t convict him and makes him feel sorry about what he has done wrong, there is no way possible that you can. I don’t care how bad you treat him or how much you do to try to let him know that he hurt you, if it’s not down on the inside, your efforts are in vain.
There are times that we have problems on our jobs, and it seems that our supervisor or co-workers are just out to get us; it seems that they are doing everything in their power to make working there miserable for us, and to let them know that we don’t appreciate it, we begin to treat them the same way to let them know just how it feels.
If a person doesn’t feel as if he’s doing anything wrong, he will continue to do wrong. It doesn’t matter what you do or say to him, he feels justified in his words and deeds because there is nothing within him to lead him.
To have conviction, you must have the power of the Holy Ghost, and everybody just doesn’t have the Holy Ghost. Should we shun them and treat them unkindly because they don’t have the Holy Ghost? No. Because we haven’t always had the Holy Ghost, and although we claim to have it now, we still sometimes offend others and cause others hurt.
Should we not be forgiven, and should that transgression be held over our head? No. We all deserve the right to a fair trial, which means we all have the right to seek pardon through Christ.
If you have the right to be forgiven for what you’ve done; everyone else, in spite of who they are or what they have done, deserves that same right.
We ask God to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, which means, “Lord, forgive me as I have forgiven my brother, my sister, my friend, my co-worker, my supervisor, my spouse, the stranger, or whomever.
Have you forgiven all who have trespassed against you? If not, have your trespasses been forgiven? Even if you haven’t forgiven them and you are a Christian, there should be something on the inside that makes you feel bad about the way you are treating that person or those people.
If you don’t have conviction within, no one else can convict you, and you are on the road to destruction. Examine yourself and see if something within you makes you feel bad about doing what is wrong. If not, you may need to seek the power of the Holy Ghost so that you can have self-conviction
What good would it do to hold a grudge against you;
For, conviction should come from within for the wrong you do.
It only hurts me to try to make you feel bad;
And, my days are the ones affected when I walk around mad
Because I feel that I’ve been mistreated and used
Or that my generosity and kindness have been abused.
Conviction should come from within;
For, each person knows for himself when he’s committed sin.
If you can stab me in my back and smile in my face,
I must have mercy and seeks God’s grace
Because there is obviously something horribly wrong
For you not to be able to see your error on your own.
If you can talk about me and scandalize my name
Without feeling guilty or having shame,
I must acknowledge that you are being lead astray
Because you don’t realize your transgressions will return to you someday.
If you can have a relationship with my spouse as if he’s your own
And act as if you have done no wrong,
I must ask God to have mercy upon you;
For, you don’t understand the wrong that you do,
Nor do you understand the consequences of such sin.
This let’s me know that there is no conviction within;
There is nothing that tells you that you have gone astray
Or that you will have to repay the debt of your sin someday.
If you can speak boldly to me with a lying tongue
And live in a manner as if you’ve done nothing wrong,
I must acknowledge and understand that you are lost;
For, you don’t know that your deeds hold a cost.
Conviction comes through the power of the Holy Ghost;
And, this power won’t allow you to be bold our boast
About the wrong you do each day,
And it will draw you back even when you desire to go astray.
Conviction makes you put the knife down.
Conviction won’t allow sin to keep you bound
In sin, sadness and sorrow for all the days of your life.
Conviction can eliminate a lot of heartache, misery and strife.
Conviction is when a sudden feeling of remorse comes upon you
For acting upon or even thinking of the wrong you desire to do.
If you have no conviction within yourself,
It does you no good to be convicted by anyone else;
Therefore, it’s best to leave you in the hands of God alone;
For, He’s the judge and jury, and is the only one who can convict you for doing wrong.
I pray that He saves you and allows you to mortally repay your debt
Rather than convicting you and sentencing you to immortal death.
Read more articles by Kimberly Crews or search for articles on the same topic or others.
There are some things that people do not want to hear, but you've been bold and stated it well. Though we shouldn't judge or condemn, I do not believe we should deny our true feelings. Working through them allows us to grow in our own faith. It is always good to remind ourselves that "hurt people hurt people." Well said, my friend.
