So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6b
Conviction has a healthy role in the life a Christian; condemnation does not. Conviction comes through the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. Condemnation comes through the voice of the enemy.
When one is convicted by the Holy Spirit, he or she comes to understand that a behavior is wrong and turns from the behavior. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, people turn from gossiping, judging, hurtful anger and other sinful behaviors. It is how we as Christians put on a new nature as we leave behind our old sinful nature. (see 2 Corinthians 5:17) Godly conviction leads to positive changes in our lives.
Condemnation, in contrast, goes beyond conviction. Once one is made aware of a sinful behavior through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, he or she takes it further—internalizing the conviction, and blaming, degrading and hating him or herself for a behavior. Condemnation is destructive. It is hurtful to ourselves and it is not how God wants us to treat ourselves. We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. I fear many of us love our neighbors more than we love ourselves because we condemn ourselves for our mistakes and shortcomings. We need to have the same merciful attitude toward ourselves that God has towards us. Condemnation is Satan’s way of keeping us down and limiting our effectiveness for Christ.
Anyone weighted down with condemnation is surely not content or at peace. Remember, the wages of sin is death and Christ has already paid that price for us. Why should we continue to persecute and condemn ourselves and pay for our wrongs that have already been paid for? Our condemnation can never accomplish more than Christ’s sacrifice. The price has been paid. Accept the gift of grace and mercy, and be kind to yourself.
Are there behaviors in your life that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to change? How do you respond to conviction – by changing your behavior or condemning yourself? How can you help yourself draw the line between conviction and condemnation and not let yourself cross the line to destructive condemnation?
