7 Comforting Truths about Uncomfortable Conviction

Conviction is never without purpose. What God intends is more than a feeling of discomfort. 

Distinguished professor Mary Kassian said that in Christian circles, we tend to use the word “conviction” as an adjective. “We associate conviction with the way that we feel. ‘I’m feeling conviction. I’m feeling guilty. My conscience is bothering me.’ But technically,” she said, “conviction isn’t an adjective; conviction is a noun. It’s much more than a feeling.” 

Mary described conviction as “a fixed or firm belief; it’s the state of being convinced that I am guilty of wrongdoing.” Genuine conviction says we are conscious of our sin — “my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:1-3). When we sin, we’ve failed to reach God’s perfect standard, and conviction proves we are missing the mark.

Relying on feelings can lead to spiritual bondage. Not feeling like something is sinful is an insufficient standard. Conversely, the great deceiver tries to convince us something is sinful when it’s not. It’s not our feelings determining whether we’ve sinned, it’s God and His Word — and that is good news. Scripture does not fluctuate like our feelings. 

When under conviction, find stability and truth in the Word of God.

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Conviction is also more than regret. Regret is ultimately futile. In regret, we might try to atone for personal sins, thinking we can please God by our perpetual sadness or rehearsing of sins.

A.W. Tozer said, “Regret is a kind of frustrated repentance that has not been quite consummated. Once the soul has turned from all sin and committed itself wholly to God, there is no place for regret.” When God forgives, we may remember the guilt, but, Tozer says, “the sting is gone from the memory.” The proper response to conviction is confession that results in relief and continual gratitude. As Tozer explained, “The returned prodigal honors his father more by rejoicing than by repining.”

Conviction as mere regret might be described as a type of self-love. We’re so concerned about our image that we’re disappointed or angry with ourselves, upset we succumbed to sin and damaged our reputation. But in true conviction, followed by true repentance, the sinner is no longer angry with himself. The reality of being forgiven in Christ replaces regret.

When under conviction, respond with confession and rejoice in forgiveness.

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Today, people are more likely to be offended by preaching about sin than convicted. Still, the Spirit of God convicts the world of its view of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:8). The word used for “convict” is the Greek word elegcho, meaning to expose, bring to light, reprove, convict, or cross-examine for the purpose of conviction. It’s what happens in a court of law. Spiritually speaking, the Holy Spirit declares sinners guilty and convicts them of their need to trust Christ. 

Regarding Christians, however, the Spirit exposes a specific sin that needs to be confessed. While God gave everyone a conscience, Christians should only rely on their conscience when it is under God’s authority and the Spirit’s guidance because some believers lose their capacity for truth (2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Timothy 4:2). A.W. Tozer said Christians can turn away from listening to the voice of conscience, the voice of conviction through the Holy Spirit. “All the sermons in the world will be wasted,” Tozer said, “if there is not a conscience … to receive the truth.” 

Cultivate a fertile, Bible-based conscience, because forces are at work to contaminate it. In “Keeping a Pure Conscience,” John MacArthur said our culture has “declared war on guilt.” Society encourages sin, he said, “but it will not tolerate the guilt sin produces.” Violating our conscience or continually allowing ourselves to override it leads to sin. The conscience becomes polluted when guilt is ignored. 

Procrastination in clearing the conscience allows feelings of guilt to compound, which can generate various emotional problems. People may forget the specific sin that caused the wounded conscience, yet the connected  “guilty feelings” can persist. This is why keeping “short sin accounts” by regularly confessing known sin is wise. Christians can rejoice that guilt cannot keep them from drawing near to God because when the blood of Christ has cleansed sinners, it is powerful enough for our worst sins (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22).  

When under conviction, thank God for creating your conscience and determine to keep it pure.

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Christians might not like to think of themselves as rebels. While it’s true that God makes believers new creations at salvation, they still struggle against their rebellious sin nature. Paul expressed his dismay at his lingering sin nature in Romans 7:15-25, and missionary Jim Elliot wrote in his journal, “Unwillingness to accept God’s ‘way of escape’ from temptation frightens me – what a rebel yet resides within.”

The tragedy of sin is that it is so grievous against a loving, good, and merciful God. For this reason, sin has been called “cosmic treason,” because even a slight sin is a horrific affront to our Creator’s holiness and glory — an act of rebellion against the sovereign God who reigns over us. When Adam and Eve sinned, they experienced great conviction, so much so that they hid from God. Their sin was not a simple foolish act but a rebellion against God’s rule and His instructions to them. 

But Christians have divine help in their battle toward sanctification. Conviction is God’s gift to point out every shred of rebellion. Although God continually sends conviction to the soul, that does not mean people will choose to change. This is true not only for the unbeliever in responding to God’s plan of salvation but also for the believer in responding to God’s will. Dr. David Jeremiah wrote, “The challenge is not in receiving conviction; the challenge is in submitting to it.” 

In conviction, we’re meant to realize how much we need the mercy of God. In the book Incomparable, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth wrote about the weight of humanity’s sin on Jesus. “Each sin was heavy with its own weight of rebellion and guilt,” she said, “And together they bore down on Him — piled high, pressing down. He was bowed beneath the weight of eternal judgment brought about by all that sin…” Jesus was crushed by our sins so that when we are convicted concerning our proud rebellion against God, we can turn to Him to save us. This is the message of hope for every lost sinner and the continuing confidence in the heart of every believer.

When under conviction, thank God for sending Jesus to rescue you from your rebellion.

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Professor Mary Kassian said, “The first mark of genuine repentance is genuine conviction.” Revivalist Leonard Ravenhill, grieving over the state of the sleeping, apathetic church, said, “There’s one thing we need above everything else; it’s something we don’t talk about these days. We need a mighty avalanche of conviction.” 

God doesn’t bring conviction to shame us but to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Genuine repentance involves genuine grief over sin — not fake “crocodile tears” or an unapologetic apology. Paul contrasted genuine sorrow over sin with phony sorrow (2 Corinth. 7:10). A person with phony, worldly sorrow might think, “I’m sorry I got caught.” It is self-focused thinking; the person would hide sin if possible. Saying “I’m sorry” is more about personal loss of reputation or concern about consequences than actual contriteness.

Unlike phony sorrow, godly sorrow fundamentally focuses on God. When we are guilty of sin, we are genuinely sorry and acknowledge that we have sinned against God’s holiness and commands. While we might rightfully express grief that our sinfulness wounded others, we know that our first concern must be our relationship with God.

King David, for example, sinned terribly against Bathsheba and Uriah, but he expressed the proper perspective in his confession in Psalm 51:4: “Against you — you alone — I have sinned and done this evil in your sight.” With godly sorrow, David acknowledged that because of his wicked actions, his heart was not right with God.

When under conviction, praise God for nudging you closer to repentance or revival.

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There is hope regarding conviction because practicing spiritual disciplines can help Christians maintain a clear, pure conscience. Paul said a weak conscience comes from a lack of spiritual knowledge (1 Corinth. 8:7). The truth of the Word of God teaches and trains Christians, strengthening the conscience toward righteous living.

John MacArthur said, “An important aspect of educating the conscience is teaching it to focus on the right object — divinely revealed truth. If your conscience looks only to personal feelings, it can accuse you wrongfully… Learn to subject your conscience to the truth of God and the teaching of Scripture. As you do that, your conscience will be more clearly focused and better able to give you reliable feedback.”

Other Christians might urge us to not be “too hard” on ourselves regarding conviction of sin, but the more we mature in our view of God, the more we understand the darkness in our hearts. Theologian Dr. Sam Storms wrote, “If you stand in the darkness, depravity is difficult to see. But when you walk in the light of his glory, every spot and every stain is magnified beyond words.” We learn to walk in that light as we study the Word.

Along with reading, studying, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture, the discipline of prayer helps us when conviction comes — especially as we confess and forsake known sin. Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” 

By God’s design, His compassion flows in forgiveness, not only as we receive forgiveness from Him, but also as we learn to ask forgiveness of others and be reconciled to them — a reconciliation that may require restitution. 

When under conviction, thank God for the practical means to hope and spiritual maturity.

Though it makes us uncomfortable, conviction comes from our loving Heavenly Father. Take comfort in that, and thank Him for this wonderful gift.

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