Encouragement
Guilt n
1. the fact or state of having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, esp. against moral or penal law 2. a feeling of remorse and responsibility for some offense, crime, wrong, etc.
Guilt only leaves you with the revelation of an error, offense, wrong or sin with no hope of redemption, but only with the despair of condemnation. (Leviticus 5:17, Psalm 38:4, 2 Corinthians 2:7)
Conviction n
1. a fixed or firm belief, 2. the act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation (the act of proving an error, defect or wrong).
Conviction reveals an error, offense, wrong or sin, then opens the light of truth and provides a way out of shame and condemnation, and offers forgiveness, redemption, salvation and freedom in Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:1-2, 1 Corinthians 10:13)
It's often difficult to discern whether or not we're experiencing guilt or conviction over a mistake we've made or a sin we've committed. One of the reasons why this is so confusing is because they both start out the same way. Both guilt and conviction point out an error (either a sin or a simple mistake). But after this similarity, they take very different paths. Guilt reveals an error or sin then makes a person feel stupid, useless, overwhelmed with shame and causes a person to feel as if they will never recover from this and will never have anything good to offer to anyone ever again. This causes a person to either spiral into deep depression or for those who fight back, extreme pride in the attempt to self-justify the error or sin committed. And nothing good ever comes from this, only destructive behavior that continues to bring a wedge between a person and their reconciliation (for unbelievers) or intimacy (for believers) with God. Conviction on the other hand, not only reveals an error or sin, but uses this revelation as a catalyst to spur a person on toward love and good deeds.
Guilt says, "You're wrong" or "You've sinned," and follows with a barrage of "This happened because you're a complete idiot! No one will ever accept you if they find out so you better act like it never happened and keep it to yourself! Forget ever trying anything again because you will always fail and it will be more humiliating next time! You deserve whatever happens to you, so don't bother asking for forgiveness because you don't deserve it!
Conviction says, "You're wrong" or "You've sinned", then offers a ray of hope with, "Okay, so you've made a mistake or committed a sin, now ask God for forgiveness, ask those you've sinned against for forgiveness (Luke 15:18-20) and seek God’s counsel (1 Kings 22:5, Isaiah 28:29, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 21:2). Repent (Matthew 3:8, 2 Corinthians 7:10), and forsake this path and embrace a new way of thinking (Romans 12:2) and doing things by reading God's word (Psalm 1:2-3) and seeking counsel and prayer from wise children of God (Psalm 1:1, James 3:13 & 17). Now, what can you do immediately to correct your error or sin (Luke 19:5-8)? Prepare/train yourself to recognize this temptation and run from it next time (James 4:7-8, Ephesians 5:15, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 1 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 5:14). How can you share your story so you can help others from suffering the same consequences & point them to Christ (James 5:16, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, James 4:17)?
Simply put, guilt is from Satan and conviction is from the Holy Spirit (John 14:26 & 16:8-13).
My hope and prayer is that none of God's children and those seeking the Lord with a pure and humble heart, suffer from guilt, but instead, rejoices in the conviction of the truth of Christ and new life found only in Him.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 9252 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Sunny Shell or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 9252 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.