guilt or condemnation
I wanted to ask you the difference between guilt and condemnation. Or, the difference between conviction (which brings guilt) and condemnation (which brings false guilt).
Convinction is from the Holy Spirit. Condemnation is from the devil.
Conviction is experienced by the believer when he sins. Condemnation is experience by the believer when he is honoring God. Conviction leads to a godly sorrow that produces real repentance. Condemnation leads to a worldly sorrow that falls short of real repentance. Peter experienced conviction when he denied the Lord. Judas experienced condemnation when he betrayed the Lord. Peter came to Christ. Judas fled from Christ. Can you think of any distinctions between conviction of the Holy Spirit and condemnation of the devil?
Conviction draws you condemnation buries you
Pastor I think the difference between guilt and condemnation, has a lot to do with knowing who you are in Christ and the finished work of the cross. Conviction of sins comitted should work to draw us quickly back to God, broken and repentive, but back to Him. Where you receive His forgivness and correction, leading you into prayer His word and His presence. This restores your conviction(guilt) with His acceptance, witch will ultimately get you back on the right path with Him. I strugled greatly with this in the past, where excessive guilt would lead to greater condemnation, causing me to avoid God and not receive the very thing I needed. This would set me up for futher attacks and lies from satan, and actualy lead me into more sin. I had to learn to rest in the finished work of Christ and His grace. Though broken and contrite, going to Him when convicted brings you into the place of restoration....
Conviction draws you to the Father, condemnation pulls you into satans trap. I had to learn that, and I'm grateful to you for a teaching series you did on grace years ago on the radio that finally gave me a greater understanding and broke the cycle of worldly sorrow and moved me to Godly conviction...