Today’s word is CONVICTION.
There are many things you can do to “process” this word today:
Think on it.
Look it up in Scripture if you choose. An easy way to look up biblical texts on the topic is to go to biblegateway.com and do a search on the word.
Discuss it with others.
Google it.
I’m sure you can think of others. Whatever you choose to do to process this word today, please check back in at the end of the day and let’s have a discussion about your thoughts, experiences, etc.
To see the introduction to this devotional series, click here.
To see Day 1 of The One Word Devotional, click here. Remember, for this series, the actual devotional thoughts are found in the comments.
Pull Up a Chair 
I’ve been struggling with this lately. Being convicted to completely surrender. I want to do what I want to do, even though I mean for it to be for Him, if it’s not what He’s calling me to do, Im still not in His divine will. I feel like I’ve been a fan of Jesus more than I’ve been a Jesus follower. I don’t say that proudly, but as a confession. I had a conversation via text with my oldest daughter an hour ago. I’m leaning on my judgement and emotions as opposed to surrendering to Christ, just laying “me” down at the cross and following Him. This is such a confirmation for me this morning.
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Glad you have confirmation today. So true that just because it’s good doesn’t mean it’s God. Many times the good actually serves to distract us from what God really desires for us to do.
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To have a conviction or to be convicted is an interesting twist. It can either be for a strong opinion or as a guilty sentence in court. I suspect the etymological root of the word has to do with recognizing truth. Once truth is realized then action must take place.
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Abi, that is something I had not thought of! I guess since I’m being convicted, that is what initially came to my mind, but that is a great point !
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Right, Abi. One of the interesting things about this approach to devotions is resisting the urge to present commentary up front, but it’s always good to see how the discussion that results usually covers most facets of the word. It’s kind of fun to see which way someone will take it.
Like your thought on how acknowledgement of truth should result in action.
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Those with a strong will usually have strong convictions. You have to have lots of confidence to hold to your convictions
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Nice, Trisha – tying the two days’ words together. 🙂 Wonder if you’ll be able to continue doing that as we add more words – j/k. Seriously, though, it does take confidence, both in yourself and in the truth of the conviction, to be able to hold to them. Or maybe I should say confidence in yourself because of the confidence in the God who is coming alongside you in the holding of the conviction.
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Okay, my conviction at this moment is to unplug from the internet for a few hours. Scott is working the coffeehouse tonight and just left. I have the place to myself until 11pm. I MUST create some new content on my book and I have some friends holding me accountable to this “unplugging” (you, my friends, may also hold me accountable). I won’t be responding to anymore comments until after 11, but look forward to getting on then to see if there are anymore thoughts.
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Hi Everybody. This was a hard one. I thought a lot about convictions as strong beliefs, but landed on conviction of sin as something to ponder. A couple of things came to mind. First, I stand before God who is my judge and my redeemer. The one who loved me/us enough to send Jesus Christ to take my/our place when it comes to judgment. Jesus bore the ‘conviction’ I rightly deserved–which the thief on the cross recognized. Second, I experience conviction of sin as a very focused opportunity to deal with a particular issue in my life that I know does not reflect who I am as one of God’s beloved daughters. Not a free-ranging sense of general guilt (which I know all about!), but something specific that in my experience has involved long-term steps to turn around and go in another direction. And finally, thinking about ‘conviction’ today made me keenly aware of how much the cross of Jesus stands at the center of my lived faith–as the place where I join the thief and anyone and everyone else on a level playing field. All of us indebted to Jesus for standing in for us.
Elouise
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I agree, for me conviction (as in conviction of sin) is a very focused experience. Given the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us deal with the day to day issues we face, this is appropriate … as opposed to the “free-ranging sense of general guilt” you mention which is more akin to condemnation and not of the Spirit. Love the last line of your comment.
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This word really hit home today. I, too, looked at it two ways. The verse that really stood out today is 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
The conviction of the Holy Spirit holds me fast — even when I don’t act like it. I have no doubts that God exists and that He is good. Even when I don’t see it, don’t feel it, and even doubt, I still know in both my brain and my heart that He is God.
AND I was once again convicted to act on something that has been burning in my heart for several years. I just can’t seem to get free from a desire/need to study Peter and write about him. I’ve tried to weasel out of this conviction, but a very wise woman once told me if I don’t feel adequate to a task, yet continue to have that task in the forefront of my mind and heart that maybe God is trying to tell me something (thanks, Lisa). I may not come up with anything that anyone else wants to read, but if God keeps knocking me over the head with this, I have to do it!
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Only wise in the sense that I’ve had to be knocked over the head a few times before I listen, too, Susan. I remember once when I was a kid and I got a bump on the head. My mom told me that was a “knowledge bump.” When I asked what that meant, she said a knowledge bump is something you get while doing something and you learn never to do that thing again. I just wish it only took one bump every time. 🙂
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although “conviction” often reminds me of how the Holy Spirit helps me remain accountable to God, when I hear the word it actually sparks the idea that you have to believe in what you are doing. for example, if I’m going to waste my time writing an article, I better have a conviction that it’s worth the investment. one might think about believing in their abilities too!
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Right, Scott. Kind of goes with Susan’s thoughts, too. If God prompts the “doing” we can believe that we are able to do the thing He’s prompting.
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I’m not sure where i stand on conviction. Irony intended. But seriously. I feel like sometimes we use vaguely and sometimes to further our own agenda. (i feel convicted and need to . . .) That’s not to say everything is insincere…but i do feel like because we don’t have a common definition our understanding, whether we realize it or not it can simply be a means of policing/manipulating others. For example – and this is controversial…you, readers, are free to disagree – hobby lobby. Their “conviction” is a means of making medical decisions on behalf of their employees.
With that being said…conviction should result in a changed heart and changed actions…
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Understand your overall point and agree that it can be/is used in the more manipulative way. Don’t necessarily agree that Hobby Lobby’s position is “making decisions” on behalf of their employees. The employees can still take whatever medical measures they want, it’s just whether or not HL is responsible to pay for them.
Curious as to what personal convictions you hold that might put you on the other end of the discussion (i.e., someone else may view it as you trying to manipulate them)? Would the fact that the other feels that way mean you should not live by that conviction?
As always, it is good for us all to examine when we are “fighting for our convictions” and when we’re just fighting because we like the fight. Motivation is key. And sometimes in these arenas our motivations can hold both altruistic and ulterior motives. Yet another reason it is important to acknowledge the role (and need for) the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
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Lisa,
Thanks for this opportunity! I have one more small contribution. It came to mind at the very front end of the day, but I moved on to something more serious. So here’s my less ‘serious’ contribution:
When I was in Bible college in the 1960s we (women) had a rather unnerving language of ‘conviction.’ Basically, we used this phrase when we needed to get out of a relationship: “I’ve been ‘convicted’ about our relationship, and would like to have my picture back. Yours is enclosed with this note.” I can’t believe I did that–as did other women! The ‘conviction’ was–as stated in the Dear John letters–from the Holy Spirit! Wow. What a wimpy but highly effective way to end a relationship. Furthermore, for myself, the ending wasn’t because of anything illegal or even faintly immoral–It was strictly because I couldn’t imagine myself being attached to this (actually wonderful) man for the rest of my life. We weren’t even engaged. I just had cold feet and wanted to meet some other men!
Your comment above, believe it or not, brought this rather unsavory episode back into my mind!
Elouise
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Thanks for sharing. This sounds like one version of what Natalie was talking about (and she, too, has been a Bible college student … hmm …).
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