It is a spiritual clue that conviction is happening. The human nature approach is to associate the condemnation out as from others, as if under assault from without, when the whisper of the Holy Spirit is first heard within. The next step is bold stubborness, to refuse to even read that which does the continuing work of conviction. If a further progress is to happen, it is God’s Spirit Who will accomplish it. And like with any unruly child (like the little boy in the story offered to Stourme earlier), waiting for conviction to do its thing is the only way to deal with such rebellion. So long as the Hound of Heaven continues to pursue, there is hope for the lost. Paul taught that we ought be ever ready to offer the hope that is WITHIN us, thus to the unsaved we must be ever ready to rerspond with love. It is to the fellow born again that we use shunning and disciplnary measures. Paul was clear in his message to Timothy (2Tim), those who continue in false doctrine, seeking to lead the elect away from Truth and growth in His Spirit, from such turn away. Are we there yet? ... I hope not.
I agree. When the truth began to dawn on me, I really started flailing around spiritually, and clinging to some childhood beliefs I didn't "really" believe and couldn't defend, but I held dear.
I had an ex-mormon give a similar account. When to walls start crumbling down, the urge is to curl up under the bed or pick up a sword and start slashing. Or alternating between the two.
I recognize it now as Satan's furious attempts to hang on.