Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Conviction, Condemnation, and Chumbawumba

Here are some thoughts of mine from last October. A short "how to" on how to tell the difference between conviction and condemnation, as I understand it.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction about things that He wants to work on in our lives--we get a clear sense or gut feeling of "I should or should not be doing X." And repentance should follow. Condemnation is when we feel like scum for having done or not done X and just wallow in that guilt. In condemnation, we stay distant from God. But, we are not under condemnation (Romans 8:1), praise Jesus! Conviction, when we respond, will bring us closer to God. It is the kindness of God that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Remember, in whatever God's working on, He's got us, no matter how many times we trip up. Proverbs 24:16 says that the righteous person (that's you and me in Christ) falls seven times, but gets back up again. This is not a literal seven. You're not forsaken if you fall eight times. Seven means a complete amount of times. Thus, every time you need to fall until you conquer this thing.

So, when the Holy Spirit comes knocking and you feel convicted, repent and run after Him. You'll trip, but get back up. Borrow from Chumbawumba and let your motto be: "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." (Where the "you" would be the devil or your own self doubt.) :o)

But, um, just don't do anything else that song says. Or you may feel more conviction. :o)