Hi all,
I thought it was way past time I contributed here with a thread :)
We all know that Satan is a whiz at confusion; among many other things. And, what better way (well, he has many ways!) to confuse the saints than to have them believe that the Lords "conviction" is "condemnation" from Satan.
Some Christians who might be sensitive or struggle with anxiety issues, or those who are "weak in the faith". Or, even seasoned believers can be attacked in this way. If we allow the tiniest of openings like: self pity, fear, worry, doubt, and so on...that is all that is needed for evil to take advantage.
Unless we have discernment, the two can be confused. If The Holy Spirit is convicting us and we believe it is "condemnation" then, instead of repenting we fall into a dark hole of depression and despair. Then, at the same time, we are not repenting of the thing that God is "convicting" us to repent of, or to let go of something that might not be a sin but might not be "profitable"? The True Spirit of God will convict only of, sin, righteousness and judgement so as to point us to our need of Christ. (John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit gives us gentle urging, or implores us to turn around and reach out to Christ, to pull us up. The Holy Spirit brings encouragement along with conviction (perfect balance) and the more we see and put it to use, the less Satan has to condemn us of, and be certain, he sure does condemn and...rightly so if we turn a blind eye to our own sin and short comings.
God's chastening=Good,
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:"
Job 5:17
6"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"
Hebrews 12:6-7
Condemnatin of Satan-Bad,
Condemnation brings hopelessness, fear, guilt, etc. Anxiety takes over, you doubt where you stand with God and salvation, or if you ever even were His to begin with! And all that to draw us away from Christ.
The enemy's fiery arrows are constant so we should also be constant and on watch, continually remembering our weapons from Eph. 6.
God has, and always will give us a way out:
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
And while wielding the "Sword", put on some of your favorite Hymns or Christian music!
The Victory is His, Amen~!
I thought it was way past time I contributed here with a thread :)
We all know that Satan is a whiz at confusion; among many other things. And, what better way (well, he has many ways!) to confuse the saints than to have them believe that the Lords "conviction" is "condemnation" from Satan.
Some Christians who might be sensitive or struggle with anxiety issues, or those who are "weak in the faith". Or, even seasoned believers can be attacked in this way. If we allow the tiniest of openings like: self pity, fear, worry, doubt, and so on...that is all that is needed for evil to take advantage.
Unless we have discernment, the two can be confused. If The Holy Spirit is convicting us and we believe it is "condemnation" then, instead of repenting we fall into a dark hole of depression and despair. Then, at the same time, we are not repenting of the thing that God is "convicting" us to repent of, or to let go of something that might not be a sin but might not be "profitable"? The True Spirit of God will convict only of, sin, righteousness and judgement so as to point us to our need of Christ. (John 16:8)
The Holy Spirit gives us gentle urging, or implores us to turn around and reach out to Christ, to pull us up. The Holy Spirit brings encouragement along with conviction (perfect balance) and the more we see and put it to use, the less Satan has to condemn us of, and be certain, he sure does condemn and...rightly so if we turn a blind eye to our own sin and short comings.
God's chastening=Good,
"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:"
Job 5:17
6"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"
Hebrews 12:6-7
Condemnatin of Satan-Bad,
Condemnation brings hopelessness, fear, guilt, etc. Anxiety takes over, you doubt where you stand with God and salvation, or if you ever even were His to begin with! And all that to draw us away from Christ.
The enemy's fiery arrows are constant so we should also be constant and on watch, continually remembering our weapons from Eph. 6.
God has, and always will give us a way out:
"(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
2 Corinthians 10:4,5
And while wielding the "Sword", put on some of your favorite Hymns or Christian music!
The Victory is His, Amen~!
