Monday, September 20, 2010

Conviction or Condemnation?



With all this talk about repentance, I thought it would be beneficial to describe the difference between condemnation and conviction.

Condemnation


. . . feels almost like badgering


. . . it is usually harsh and driving


. . . the feeling rarely leaves even after repentance

. . . could be nagging, confusing, over and over


. . . makes you feel hopeless


Conviction



. . . is a gentle nudge from our Father

. . . it is always restorative

. . .you may certainly feel brokenness for your sin, but not heavy burdened and guilty

. . .a tap on the shoulder, never a slap in the face

. . . brings hope and desire to change





So, which one have you been listening to?

Has your Father been speaking to you on an area that needs repentance?

Or, has the accuser of the brethren been hounding you?

If you recognize the accuser, by all means repent for listening to his voice

and listen to what your Heavenly Father has to say.


BTW, He thinks you're pretty special.

He loves you with an everlasting love.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.

You are precious in His sight.

You are the very apple of His eye.

5 comments:

Regan Family Farm said...

I loved reading through the comparison...and I love the truth about the way Jehovah God really feels about me :)
Big hugs friend~
Kathy

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

It is good to know the difference. I think we get unnecessarily burdened when we don't.

Stacie, A Firefighter's Wife said...

one more thing. I always ask, "Is this from You, God or from the enemy?"

Unknown said...

Thanks for this! I needed the reminder.

Cranberry Morning said...

Very good post! Those two are so often confused and we wallow in guilt, when we could bask in the sweet joy of forgiveness.