Conviction vs. Condemnation

Campus Ministry Today ^ | Olan Stubbs

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Conviction and condemnation can feel similar for a Christian. Conviction is from God and is necessary for joy. It should be cultivated. Condemnation is from Satan. It is a lie and should be resisted and thrown off. How do we tell the difference in our own lives? How do we help students discern the distinction in their hearts as well?

An Example

The night Christ was arrested, Peter and Judas both committed big sins. (This example isn’t perfect because Judas wasn’t a true Christian, but he was a professing believer and a member of Christ’s discipleship group. There’s much we can learn from this comparison.) Both felt grief very soon after their actions.

Judas had worldly grief. It led to regret. He had some form of repentance, but it was not genuine. He returned the money to the Pharisees, but they offered him no hope, no mercy, no love. Their cold sterility is a great picture of the hatred Satan has for us. He didn’t run back to Christ as he should have. He ran to himself, which led to death.

God made us all for joy. We cannot stay away from joy. If we try to handle our sin and shame on our own it will always lead to more sin because only Christ can give the joy we long for.

Peter had godly grief. It led to repentance, which in turn led to Christ. Christ met with Him. Christ forgave him and restored him and continued to use him in powerful ways. Peter was restored to joy!

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