The Conviction of the Holy Spirit has been a source of debate among many Christians. This can be traced back to the Bible where many Christians believe that since Christ died for us there is no need for conviction. It is known as God’s witness in the heart and is believed to be in the hearts of all Christians. What exactly does the Holy Spirit convict Christians of—sin or righteousness?
The Holy Spirit convicts believers not only of sin but of righteousness. There are Bible verses that support this opinion. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit, believers will fall into sin without remorse.
As the guide will reveal, the Holy Spirit is an advocate that convicts everyone in the world. Moreover, when convicted, believers should ensure they do everything to avoid backsliding.
Does the Holy Spirit Convict Believers of Sin?
To answer this question, we need to have a perfect understanding of the word ‘convict.’ To be convicted means to be made aware of an act and to know the consequences of such acts. While there is no condemnation of believers because Christ died for us, the Holy Spirit convicts our spirits. The Bible states:
“And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.”
John 16:8 (New Living Translation)
Based on the above Bible verse, we will see that the Holy Spirit knows the intentions of our hearts and convicts our spirits. It knows God’s desires and his intentions for us. When we go astray, he calls us back and leads us through the righteous part.
1 Corinthians 3:16 shows how the Holy Ghost, through Paul, corrected those going against the dictates of God. He said, Don’t you know you are all temples of God? He has noticed that they are going astray and need to be called back.
Only believers are convicted because the intention of God is good and not evil. Whenever a Christian goes astray, he is convicted in his spirit by the Holy Ghost.
Why Does the Holy Spirit Convict the Sin in Believers?
The Holy Spirit is mandated to guide us to live a Christ-like life. In John 16:7, Jesus told his disciples that it was best he left so that the Holy Spirit would come. When it comes, he will be an advocate for us in all our dealings. So why does the Holy Spirit convict believers?
To Make Us Like Christ
The Holy Spirit aims to let us live like Jesus Christ. He does this through sanctification. When the Holy Spirit sanctifies you, it strips you of all sinful habits and brings us to God’s holiness. By convicting us, he is peeling all layers of sin and replacing them with godly characters.
To Give Us the Power To Be Witness for Christ
In Acts 1:8, the Holy Spirit strengthens believers to be genuine witnesses of Jesus Christ. We need to be bold to testify for God. A timid heart will break when confronted with worldly desires.
You will see in 2 Timothy 1:7 that God gave us the Holy Spirit to help us to love and have self-discipline. After the conviction of the Holy Spirit, he will instill in us the ability to perform miracles and conquer demons.
Guide Us in Truths
When you are convicted by the Holy Spirit of sin, you will be shown the right way. The Holy Spirit is known as the spirit of truth. In John 16:13, Jesus says that when this spirit comes, it will guide believers in all truths. This is done because it doesn’t speak on its own but of the thoughts of God.
With the conviction of the Holy Spirit, you will be shown the right part of Christ. The Spirit doesn’t leave believers in a confused state; it will lead us to the path of light. He leads the children of God, as said in Romans 8:14–16.
Leads Us Away From Temptation
Once there is a temptation to yield to your fleshly desires, the Holy Spirit will convict your heart. He is our best friend, and he knows the best decisions we can make. While everyone is prone to being tempted, the result is sin. When temptation comes, the Holy Ghost will gently nudge our hearts. It is our responsibility to hear its voice without fighting.
To Bring Us Closer to Other Christians
When we are convicted by the Holy Spirit, it is to bring us to believers who will help our lives. In Acts 4:32, all Christians were brought together in one mind and heart. This is because it knows that we’re stronger in groups and will not be easily tempted. The unity of purpose brought by the Holy Spirit helps us be more dedicated to the words of God.
It Reveals the Word of God
The word of God is our armor and weapon against the devil. The Holy Ghost guides our minds to helpful scriptures in the Bible that can help us. In 2 Timothy 3:16, God inspires the scriptures to help us know right from wrong.
When the Holy Spirit sees that we are facing temptation, he takes our minds to the scripture that will help us. John 14:26 reminds believers that when Jesus leaves a helper, the Holy Spirit will come to rectify all things in his name.
What Believers Should Do After Being Touched by the Holy Spirit
No one is perfect, and everyone has sinned against God (Romans 3:23). When the Holy Spirit touches us, we should:
Listen
A heart that listens to the Holy Spirit will never be led astray. While we have our convictions, nothing should dissuade us from hearing what the Spirit of God says when we feel that the Holy Spirit is talking to us about our actions. In Romans 8:11, we can see that God has put the spirit in US to guide us. We shouldn’t harden our hearts like pharaoh.
Ask for Forgiveness
Psalm 32:1–5 shows that God is ready to listen to all our pleas. The psalmist, David, was always crying to God whenever he sinned. When you receive a conviction of sin from the Holy Spirit, seek God’s forgiveness.
Read your Bible
After you have asked God for forgiveness, imbibe yourself in the world of God. There is no better way to learn about God’s love and word than through the Bible. Proverbs 30:5-8 shows that the only shield against sin or worldly desires is God. Daily meditation on the Bible will strengthen you spiritually against evil forces.
Avoid Bad Company and Thoughts
Most believers are corrupted due to their environment and the people they follow. After you have been convicted by the spirit, try all you can to flee from bad friends. 1 Corinthians 15:33 indicates how bad company can derail a strong believer. Even after seeing forgiveness, ensure you move with companies that can improve your spiritual life. Romans 12:2 says we should have a renewed mind and desist from bad thoughts. Bad thoughts can lead us back to sin.
Conclusion
As we have seen in this article, the Holy Spirit convicts believers of sin. However, when it convicts us, it isn’t in a worldly manner—no condemnation—but to bring us back to God. Salvation is the goal, and the Holy Spirit is our helper and will guide us throughout our journey on earth.
