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Conviction Versus Condemnation : Conviction vs Condemnation

Healing Seminars

Conviction Versus Condemnation

All scriptures are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.

2 Corinthians 7:9-11 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... 10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

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.
Conviction by the Spirit Condemnation by the enemy
True guilt False guilt
Leads to contrition (sorry you sinned) Leads to feeling worthless, inept (a sorry sinner)
Targets our sin (that was wrong) Attacks our person (you are bad)
Explains Accuses
Illuminates our path Darkens our understanding
Specific wrong is clarified Fog of general wrongness sinks in
Brings repentance Spreads confusion
Feels light and right Feels heavy and wrong
May not want to repent, but agree with truth May be willing to confess to anything,  but can get no freedom

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.

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.

Feelings follow knowing. Knowing follows believing.

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God;