Three Responses to Conviction
John
16:7-11
Conviction: to be convinced of guilt; to be proved
guilty; a guilty verdict
When we are confronted with the fact that we
have done something wrong, our response is VITAL to our success.
I. Get Defensive
This is when you choose to shift the blame.
This is what Adam did in the Garden of Eden.
They began to shift the blame – to point to
others as the “reason”.
Getting defensive is demonstrated in a number
of ways:
1.
I didn’t know
2.
I couldn’t help it
3.
I got tricked
4.
I had no control over what happened.
5.
People around me make it hard for me to do
right
6.
It’s not that bad
7.
I’m not the only one doing it; or Everybody is
doing it.
8.
Why are you always picking on me?
9.
Nobody’s perfect.
10. That’s ok
for you, but that is not for me.
11. You might
think it’s wrong, but I don’t think it is.
12. The Bible is
only man’s opinion; it doesn’t count.
13. You don’t
understand how I am.
II. Get Angry
·
Acts 7:54 When
they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him
with their teeth.
A common reaction to conviction is to get
angry at the message, or the messenger.
The Bible is filled of stories of people that
got angry when confronted with the truth.
NOTE: Jesus wasn’t killed by harlots or drug
dealers or bank robbers.
He was murdered by religious people that had
wicked hearts and got angry when confronted about it.
Same is found in the book of Acts 5:29 Then
Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather
than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on
a tree. 31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a
Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy
Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they
were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
III. Get Right
When it comes to your sin:
·
2 Samuel 12:7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the
man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I
delivered thee out of the hand of Saul;
When it comes to your soul:
·
Acts 2:37 Now
when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and
to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
