Knowing the Difference Between Conviction and Condemnation

Life is a challenge. Whether we realize it or not we are in the midst of a great war. The battlefield is the landscape of human hearts and minds, the prize is the souls of men and women the world over. Victory goes to the one with the best strategy and enduring strength in the midst of the drudgery of battle fatigue and mind numbing fears. Every believer's duty is to be in submission to their Great Commander the Lord Jesus Christ, and to resist the devil and he will flee. To overcome in battle you need strength, endurance, and a sound strategy that is based upon your Kingdom's strength, and an understanding of how to exploit your enemies weaknesses. As we all partake in the "daily grind" it is easy to become complacent about or even forget that there is a war going inside of us as well as outside of us.

Beware the inside job--sabotage! Think back to the tales you heard and the movies you watched that were set in the time of the Knights and Kings with their castles. When under attack you would see the castle archers come to the windows to rain down arrows upon the invading marauders... you would also see the draw bridge that spanned the mote being quickly brought up to seal off the castle and make it safe for the King and his subjects to stay in the castle. What does this have to do with knowing the difference between conviction and condemnation? A lot actually...

Conviction and Condemnation both appeal to our God given conscience. Our conscience together with our minds (thoughts/emotions) and our Spirit (will, heart) work together to make a beautiful fortress in which God is enthroned... or shut out. Conviction is God's way of letting us know something in our life is out of order. Conviction is designed to protect. Conviction is the guard at your hearts door that lets you know that there is an enemy at the gate. Conviction is the Spirit of God speaking to your innermost being and letting you know that there is someone else present--He is present to save to the uttermost--IF we will let Him! 

Condemnation on the other hand is not the enemy at the gate, but inside the gate! It is the voice that says "You have blown it too many times, He does not receive you." Condemnation is the result of letting our barriers down and receiving the enemy into our being. Condemnation is designed to destroy. Why do we give in to this condemnation? We get unsettled and cannot hear the gentle voice of the Spirit.  We neglect to spend the time in God's Word which is His voice speaking to us. We listen to our selves (our flesh) rather than our Spirit Man. Habitually harboring ungodly thoughts and dwelling on fleshly things makes us like that castle which does not have any protection--The mote is down, the archers are absent and no one is present to fight the foreign invasion. The enemy of our souls wants to get in to the interior of your life to steal, kill, and destroy.

Settle it once and for all... Set a guard upon your life; your mind, will, and affections. Set a guard upon who you let into the deep parts of your life and who you fellowship with. Let the God of the Angel Armies be your protector, He is faithful to keep you safe from the onslaught of the wicked one. Keep a clear conscience before God it is one of His greatest gifts to you.

Conviction versus condemnation: One is designed to correct you and bring you back into fellowship with God when you are losing your way. The other is designed to put a wedge between you and your Heavenly Father and keep you away from His presence. Learn to watch over your heart with much diligence for out of your heart flows the very essence of your life.