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Conviction (Inward Realization of One’s Own Sin)
Meaning
Conviction as used in a Biblical sense speaks of the inward realization that we are sinful at heart. It involves becoming aware of the guilt we have before God because of our sin. The Bible describes conviction as the understanding and feeling of guilt and dread, when in the presence of God. God’s word tells us that sin causes a searing of our consciences. In other words living with sin in our lives dulls the senses. And over time we not only become less sensitive to sin, but we also become more tolerant of having sin, in our presence. And as a result over time we become comfortable with sin and forget about God in our thinking. The Bible tells us this is the normal behavior of mankind.
However, Jesus told us before His death and resurrection that He must go in order for God to send the Holy Spirit who will convict the world of sin. In other words, with the death and resurrection of Jesus, God sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit changes the hearts of men and women making them sensitive to the things of God. This in turn causes conviction in us because of the sin in our lives. Conviction only becomes possible as God changes our hearts. It’s the conviction of sin within our hearts that causes us to seek after God. And conviction is a process within our hearts as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work in us.
“As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.'” (Book of Romans 3:10-12)
“For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Book of Romans 3:22-23)
“So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.'” (Book of Isaiah 6: 5)
“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.'” (Gospel of Luke 5:8)
“Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. And when He [Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment, of sin, because they do not believe in Me.” (Gospel of John 16:7-9)