Convict:
verb | to impress with a sense of guilt
noun | a person proved or declared guilty of an offense
noun | a person proved or declared guilty of an offense
God instilled the ability to feel conviction within each of us. From the day we are born, until the day we die, we have the ability to experience conviction.
But what triggers conviction?
Do you only feel remorse when your faults are discovered or when the result of your actions negatively impacts someone you love? Does guilt only come when a figure of authority reprimands you and a privilege you once took for granted is taken away?
Conviction comes in a small voice for me. A small voice in the back of my head, of which I have absolutely no control over, that tells me when something I am doing is wrong. The voice is not my mother reminding me of the things she taught me as a child nor is it the chief of my local police hinting at the legal consequences of my actions. The voice is conviction. It’s the voice of God reminding me of who I am and what I have been called to be.
The world calls this small voice our conscience: the mental awareness of ourselves and our surroundings.
It’s an understanding of our actions and how we affect others. I would argue, however, that this voice in the back of your head is so much more than a mere understanding of what is happening. This voice comes without warning, is persistent, and oftentimes disagreeable. The words that are spoken through this voice are words you don’t want to hear. Words that will make you regret your actions and question your character.
This voice is conviction.
Conviction is God’s way of correcting and guiding us. He has a plan and a will for our lives and since He can’t stand beside each of us and point out things we should steer clear of or opportunities for spiritual improvement, He uses conviction. When we sacrifice our will for His and allow His voice to be heard over our own, He renews our mind, leads us in the path of righteous and brings us closer to Him.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
{Romans 12:1-2}
I want to live a life with constant conviction. Not to feel like a failure all the time to the point where I question if I’ll ever be worthy enough of God’s love, but to continuously better and improve my spiritual walk with God.
Allow God’s voice to be spoken over your life daily. Usher in His presence and listen for His direction. The Lord corrects us but He also encourages us. Take comfort in hearing His voice; let it remind you that He cares for you greatly and He only wants the best for you.