Conviction versus Condemnation

          Discerning the difference between the voices of life and death 

This teaching on recognizing conviction and condemnation is a practical application included with the lessons set forth in our workbook for personal transformation, "Matters of the Heart."  All of the 24 lessons will be helpful to the person seeking restoration and freedom and have been posted on this web site. They are available as a complete set in our workbook which can be purchased as a download or ordered through the mail. The lessons are also available on CD and DVD as 24, 1/2 hour teachings. All scriptures are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner... For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.   2 Corinthians 7:9-11

The difference between conviction and condemnation

Conviction shows us the problem, separates us from it and shows us the way out—all the while letting us know that we are loved and accepted nevertheless.

Condemnation binds us to the problem, makes no separation between us and the sin and shows us no way out—all the while threatening us with judgment and displeasure.

Repenting of true sins brings restoration and freedom from true guilt.

Confess the sin (requires faith in Christ's shed blood) and receive God’s mercy.

Resisting the accusation of false guilt produces freedom from condemnation.

Confess the truth (requires courage to live what you believe) and resist the devil.

False guilt
Conviction brings with it the Holy Spirit’s power to repent in matters of true guilt, but no matter how much you attempt to repent of false guilt, you cannot “receive forgiveness” for that which in God's sight has not been sin. To walk in the light as He is in the light, means that the accusations of false guilt must be seen for what they are (lies or half truths coming from accusing spirits) and resisted by faith in the truth as you believe God has shown you truth (the courage of one’s convictions).

True guilt
However, sometimes condemnation comes not from false guilt, but from situations of true guilt where we cannot forgive ourselves and therefore cannot really believe in or receive God’s forgiveness. Freedom will come as we learn to confess our sin, fully receive forgiveness, and forgive ourselves as fully as God does. Then the enemy’s voice of accusation can be resisted. You can learn to win this tug of war between conviction versus condemnation!

Stages of progressive faith in the truth you discern

1) Confess the truth (God’s truth) that you believe, even if you don’t feel like it is true.
2) Simply know that the truth you believe is true. Rest in knowing it. (Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will set you free—He didn’t say you will feel the truth.)
3) Then, as you relax into just knowing the truth you will eventually begin to feel its lifting power helping you to believe with your whole heart.

Be still, and know that I am God.   Psalm 46:10

Feelings follow knowing.
Knowing follows believing.
 

Interested in going deeper?

Don't just give these truths a "once over lightly"!
For further study and for help working these truths into your heart and life, see Discerning the Enemy (Main Healing Lesson 14) and Discerning the Enemy part 2 (Head to Heart Guide 14) and "work out" with more teachings, exercises, discussion questions, review of main points, digging deeper, more scriptures, model prayers, renunciations/affirmations and practical steps of life application.

Or better yet, let us minister to you in person
     --at one of our Savannah Seminars...