Conviction

I. Introduction!

What is Conviction?

A. A strong persuasion or belief. Politics-strong beliefs, bible-as word of God , Opinions- very opinionated.

B. Someone convicted of a crime

C. 1. elencho (ἐλέγχω, 1651) signifies (a) “to convict, confute, refute,” usually with the suggestion of putting the convicted person to shame;

Sociology professor Anthony Campolo recalls a deeply moving incident that happened in a Christian junior high camp where he served. One of the campers, a boy with spastic paralysis, was the object of heartless ridicule. When he would ask a question, the boys would deliberately answer in a halting, mimicking way.

One night his cabin group chose him to lead the devotions before the entire camp. It was one more effort to have some “fun” at his expense. Unashamedly the spastic boy stood up, and in his strained, slurred manner—each word coming with enormous effort—he said simple, “Jesus loves me—and I love Jesus!” That was all.

Conviction fell upon those junior-highers. Many began to cry. Revival gripped the camp. Years afterward, Campolo still meets men in the ministry who came to Christ because of that testimony.

D. Biblical example:" 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?" Acts 2:37

1. What causes people to come under conviction?

A. The Word of God. "Now when they heard this... Peter was preaching the word of God.

B. The Holy Ghost brings conviction. "they were pricked in their heart'

John 16:8 Speaking of the Holy Ghost says, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement:" The Spirit of God brings conviction

C. What God has put in everyones heart. Rom. 2:14-15 " For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their consciencec also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) c their conscience...: or, the conscience witnessing with them"

2. Christians are convicted

A One of the purposes of a pastor. Someone said the purpose of a pastor is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict those in comfort.

2 Tim. 4:2 "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine."

1 Tim. 5:20 "Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear ."

B. Word of God convicts christians.

James 2:8-10 " If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

C. Purpose of God's conviction

Heb 12:5-6 " And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."

Rev.3:19-20 " As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

3. What about conviction of the unsaved?

:" 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?" Acts 2:37

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