Condemnation and Conviction

A heart-felt message from Pastor Loomis to especially men and others who may suffer from condemnation.

Today I wish to address a problem that many Christians fail to identify. They fall prey to condemnation instead of experiencing the joys of forgiven sin through conviction. Let me explain.

First, what is condemnation? It is a work of Satan, which points an accusing finger to make us focus on our failure rather than on God's strength. The accuser attempts to persuade us that we have to earn God's favor because we don't deserve to be saved or blessed by God. Condemnation also comes from within the individual. We self-deprecate.

Second, what is conviction? In a Christian context, "Holy Spirit conviction" refers to the Holy Spirit's work of making a person aware of their sin, leading them to repentance and a deeper relationship with God, rather than causing condemnation. The Holy Spirit convicts individuals of sin, not to make them feel bad, but to lead them to recognize their need for God's grace and forgiveness. Conviction is distinct from condemnation. While a guilty conscience can lead to feelings of shame and fear, the Holy Spirit's conviction is a gentle nudge towards repentance and a closer walk with God.

Now, let me apply these terms to what's going on in many Christian lives today. Too many believers are experiencing fallout because they misunderstand the difference between condemnation and conviction. Some even drop out of church and falter in their Christian walk.

I mostly work with the men, so that is where I will draw my conclusions to help explain this dilemma. Condemnation produces five very damaging responses: shame, self-deprecation, isolation, spiritual setbacks, and ultimately blame. In my pastoral experience, two common scenarios stand out. The first deals with men making promises to do something and failing to carry out their intentions. Usually, their initial intentions are good but for whatever reason they fall short with follow through. The second is when individuals fight private "besetting sins" and/or addictions and often face defeat. Here's what happens:

1. They feel shame for their shortcomings and sins.
2. They begin to self-deprecate and even self-destruct emotionally and socially.
3. They pull away from the body life of the church, they isolate, because they know in their hearts they have let down. Embarrassment moves in.
4. They often fight anger which leads to depression, and suffer spiritual setbacks.
5. If unaddressed, sometimes their anger shifts toward blaming me, the church, or whoever. Instead of accepting blame and personal responsibility for choices made, they lash out, usually toward the ones they love, to draw attention away from their personal failures.

And by the way, what I'm addressing here feeds over into marriages as well. Tension fills homes when condemnation is not identified and cast down. Couples need to hold each other accountable in a righteous way when either falls short; repent, offer forgiveness, and move on. God is a God of first and second and third chances.

My friend, God has a solution to condemnation. It's called repentance! It's understanding the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation brings shame and unhealthy guilt, while conviction leads to forgiveness and freedom.

Romans 3 brings further clarity to this common dilemma. In verses 20-24 we read, "By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God by faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."

What is Paul saying? If we hold ourselves to the letter of the Law, then fail to carry out our declared intentions, then that very Law rises up to condemn us. Then, we invite shame and guilt. Remember, the Law exposes sin but it cannot erase sin. We are forgiven through the precious blood of Jesus and justified, made right, by His grace.

I'm tired of watching the casualties of condemnation. I've pastored this church for nearly nine years and the other day I counted over 20 men who are no longer in this fellowship. Do you know why? Condemnation plays out its destruction in the lives of those who refuse to repent and be restored to spiritual wholeness.

Again, the solution is repentance. May we swallow our pride, admit our shortcomings, and tether our heart to Jesus when our actions don't measure up to our confession. I have good news for men everywhere and Christians in general: God is ready to forgive us when we fall short. Let's press past the truth of Romans 3:23 and remember, "Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus."

Conviction is God's drawing card toward forgiveness and freedom. Please, do not allow condemnation to separate and divide. Allow the blood of Jesus to wash over you and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness. Get free and stay free from condemnation's grasp!