Conviction or Convincing? REWRITE!
Conviction or Convincing? REWRITE!
“They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.”
Isaiah 29:24
So I’ve never done this before - but this is a rewrite of the devotional that came out yesterday with the same title.
I didn’t like the message I was sending with the devotional from yesterday and decided to rewrite it. I spent some time this morning thinking about the verses I included and my original thoughts. Those thoughts weren’t creative or productive.
I had used some past experiences that I am very passionate about to try and fit this topic of conviction and convincing into. And it just didn’t fit.
I hope you will read this rewrite and that it finds a way into your heart.
Has someone ever had to convince you to try something? Whether it was something to eat, something to wear or the latest and greatest of something to buy.
Have you ever solicited advice from someone in order to have a decision of yours confirmed? Maybe you’ve shopped around for advice that would fit an answer you wanted to hear.
Often times we can allow others to convince us of something because originally we were against whatever it was. Maybe it was a purchase, relationship or business advice or maybe it was something much simpler.
Conviction is what that little voice inside of us says. It’s the advice that we want to hear or the confirmation of something we didn’t want to hear. That’s the thing, it is totally independent of what you want. That little voice is the Holy Spirit - to those of us that are saved.
When we can’t make a decision, it can be easier for someone else to make one for us by their advice, suggestions or convincing. Maybe it’s because we are afraid of the outcome or don’t want the decision to rest on our shoulders. Or maybe, we simply want a second opinion.
Whatever the reason we shouldn’t rely on someone else to convince us of something. We learn from our mistakes and we own our decisions. Anyone who has ever convinced you of something, has never owned that persuasion.
Our decisions should be based on our relationship with God. We should go to God with our requests and questions, our concerns and dilemmas and seek Him out for advice in every circumstance. This is submission to God’s will.
Those of us that have placed our faith and trust in Christ have an advocate with God. We also have the power of the Holy Spirit in us the moment we asked Christ to be our Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit will guide us in our relationship with God.
So you see, we don’t need convincing of anything. We need conviction. Conviction isn’t a bad thing - it’s the Holy Spirit in us. And the only way we can feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit is to listen.
We may not like the answer we get when we ask God to lead our lives. Or we may. One thing is certain, if you never ask, you’ll never know the glory of being in God’s will. And if you never submit to God for His will, you’ll never be lead by God.
Conviction isn’t having to be convinced something is right for you. It isn’t having to be persuaded or talked-into something.
Your relationship with God, through prayer and reading your Bible, will help you understand the will of God for your life.
Listening to the Holy Spirit will help you understand what God wants for your life.
Stop trying to be convinced. Listen to the Holy Spirit and be convicted of God’s will.
You should be continually developing and enhancing your relationship with God which will increase your faith. You do this through prayer, being in God’s word (your bible), surrounding yourself with Godly, Christ-centered, Christian believers and by listening to the Holy Spirit. I had to realize that I have to relinquish what I want or feel and to rely on God.
Living with the conviction of the Holy Spirit is far better than being convinced of the world.
“And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.”
Acts 12:21-23
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: And shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”
Psalm 32:11