Carmen Horne

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
John 8:17 (ESV)

Do you ever wonder the difference between conviction and condemnation? How might that look in real life?

Let’s look at a few of the differences.

Condemnation comes from Satan. It makes us want to run from God.

Condemnation is broad. Yet is also personal. Condemnation rarely addresses specifics. It is used to create feelings of self-loathing. You are a bad person. You are stupid. You are lazy. You will never change. Condemnation is less concerned with our actions and more concerned with us feeling useless and unchangeable—a lost cause.

Condemnation causes despair. Satan is called the Accuser of the Brethren (Revelation 12:10), and he takes his job seriously. In Genesis 3:11, God asks Adam, “Who told you that you were naked?” Adam and Eve felt shame. They wanted to hide. These two had a personal relationship with God. They walked with Him in the garden; however, their Accuser convinced them that they could not trust God. They feel hopeless.

Conviction comes from God.

Conviction speaks in specifics. Conviction says these specific acts you took brought you to this situation, and those actions need to change. Conviction leads us to repentance, not avoidance. The Holy Spirit gives us wisdom on how to change and the power we need to make changes.

Conviction is empowering. The Bible tells us that we can know we are loved by God when He disciplines us. (Proverbs 3:12; Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19; Psalm 94:12) We feel secure in the knowledge that God corrects us and redirects us because of His love.

For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT)

Are you struggling with feelings of condemnation? Those feelings are not of God. The Holy Spirit will be specific on what needs to change and then point you in the direction you need to go. There will be peace in the end, not despair. When the Holy Spirit convicts, there is hope.

When we mess up (and we all do), let’s run toward Jesus. Tell Him all about it, ask for His forgiveness, and thank Him for His patience in redirecting us. Jesus loves us and wants us to live an abundant life.

Here is an infographic to help you remember the difference between Conviction and Condemnation. Please get it here: Infographic

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Stephanie K. Adams, Ellen Chauvin, and I have a mastermind group that meets on voxer every day. When I read that sentence, I feel compelled to explain that we are not masterminds. We serve a great Master who we want to use our minds for His glory.

We talk a lot about Jesus, ministry, and how to serve our readers best. There might be a few words said about good food, good books, and where to find a particular cracker at the grocery store.

I would not want to do ministry without these two.

Stephanie is an author, Board Certified Advanced Christian Life Coach, and director of Real Women Ministries. RWM is a cozy home for real women to share real-life. Stephanie is passionate about helping women cultivate a love for studying God’s word and creating a prayer habit.

This month in the Real Women community, we are discussing prayer. As a Hope Coach, Steph asked me to write a few words about the hope of prayer for her readers.

Here’s the question that has been bouncing around in my mind and heart lately: Does it matter if we pray? I believe it does.

James 5:16b affirms my belief,

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” ESV

Over and over in Scripture, we read how prayer made a difference in the outcomes of situations. Over and over in my life, I can testify how prayer made a difference in my circumstances.

You have a similar testimony. You, too, can look back over your life, in the good times and bad, and see how God’s hand was and still is working on your behalf.

Prayer changes things.

Join me over at Real Women Ministries to continue our discussion.

Here’s the link > Prayer Changes Things — Real Women Ministries

Do you have a testimony of how prayer changed a situation in your life? We would love to chat. Come on over!

Condemnation or Conviction?

Let’s look at a few of the differences.

Does it Matter if We Pray?