Sin is not often a topic of conversation. The Saints of old spoke much about sin, but today’s message seems different. Today people often like to hear about matters that do not cause them to change direction. However, where there is no talking about sin, the Spirit will not reside for long.
Sin is man’s biggest problem. The Christian must realize this fact. The biggest problem in life is not changing the flat tire or earning a few more bucks. The biggest problem is not getting set up for retirement or getting the ants out of the house. Sin is the primary culprit; where sin resides, man will find that his problems are greater than the trifling matters he occupies with.
Even today, man is caught up with the latest thought on how to gain clarity in his mind and life. Some say this, and others say that. However, in all of the world’s wisdom, there is no recollection of sin, God , the fall of man, or Jesus Christ. Therefore, none of the world’s wisdom will profit for eternity.
The furthest the world can get could be related to chopping a weed off at the head. Sure, the head gets chopped off, but the roots remain, and thus the weed will grow again, not to mention lay more seed in due time.
But the Christian has been given the Word of God and sees the problem. The problem is a separation from God issue, which is and was brought about by sin. When Adam and Eve were in the Garden, there was no anxiety or depression. When they were in the Garden, there was no anger or bitterness. However, when they ate the fruit, sin came alive, and they died.
They were thrown out of the Garden and thus banished from the presence of God. Man often seeks help outside of Scripture to understand what the Scriptures clearly address. Sin is the culprit, but it comes in many forms. Sin must be dealt with as it separated man from God in the Garden and continues its devastating work today.
Thus, the Christian must become aware that a conviction of sin leads to repentance. When someone is convicted of his sin, he will firmly believe that he has sinned and that it is wrong. He will look upward with a recognition that he has broken God’s commands, and it will grieve his heart. Notice that the word convicted is closely associated with convinced. Thus, the Christian will be convinced of his sin when he experiences conviction.
Solomon’s prayer
Solomon spoke a series of memorable words after the construction of the temple. Amid his prayer to God, he stated, “What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house” (KJV, 1 Kings 8:38). Solomon did not say that man’s heart needed a little help. Note the words carefully. Solomon declared that man’s heart was plagued with sin.
The Christian needs a change of heart. He needs God to work within His heart to make it like Christ’s. Nothing less than the heart of Christ will do for him who is truly on the road that Jesus walked. The world has nothing to say about the matter of the heart. The world does not acknowledge sin. Instead, people are turned into victims rather than responsible. The conclusion is obvious. Victims do not need to repent.
But Solomon stated in clear terms that man’s heart is plagued. However, he also prayed that every man would know the plague of his own heart, and it would cause him to turn his hands toward the temple of God.
Elsewhere God spoke through Isaiah and said, “Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment” (Is. 1:5-6). Man is in a state of desperate need for God to reveal his sin. It is grace that reveals man’s sin, and it must be seen as such.
When someone sees his sin clearly and is convicted, he can repent and receive healing from the Lord.
Solomon’s wisdom
Solomon also spoke of the conviction of sin leading to repentance in the Proverbs. He said, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). To cover one’s sins is to conceal sin.
Yet again, God said through Isaiah, “Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” (Is. 29:15). Clearly, seeking to hide sin from God is absurd. Nevertheless, the Bible speaks as though it happens. Instead, the Christian must confess his sin and forsake it.
True confession and conviction are inseparable. Confession is not simply telling God what has happened. Instead, confession involves agreeing with God that the sin committed is bad and must be turned from. Thus, conviction is the root of true confession. Solomon also says that when someone confesses His sin, it will be accompanied by forsaking sin.
Peter’s plea
An instance in the New Testament can help at this point. The context is Peter standing before a great crowd and confessing Jesus as Lord. After Peter’s sermon in Acts 2, the Bible says, “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? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:37-38).
The Bible states the people heard Peter’s preaching. However, they were pricked in the heart when they heard his preaching. When the Bible speaks of the people being pricked in the heart, it tells of their conviction. They were convicted that what Peter was saying was true.
So what did Peter tell them to do? He told them to respond to the conviction by repenting.
The Holy Spirit’s work John
Finally, the Christian needs to realize that the Holy Spirit convicts. Conviction is not the same as conscience. Every man has a conscience, but not everyone is convicted by the Spirit of God. To be convicted by the Spirit of God is an act of God’s grace that assists someone in turning from sin and embracing life.
Jesus has said, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and judgment” (John 16:7-8). The Holy Spirit has been given to convict man of sin, his need for righteousness before God, and future judgment.
However, man must not be like Felix, who stifled the conviction he experienced, for the Bible says, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25). Felix put off until tomorrow what should have been done today.
The Holy Spirit will not always convict. But when He does, the Christian must respond to what, at times, is a gentle leading.
Final prayer
Father, I pray that You help me see my sin properly. I know I do not see all there is, but You reveal more to me in Your gracious timing. Thank You for being a Light to my darkness. Thank you for being a Healer to my sickness. You have shown me how I ought to live and my need for repentance. May I always listen to your Spirit’s voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.