“There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
It is important for those of us who are born again Christians, to know that there is a huge difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the enemy of our faith, because it can affect how we approach life.
Please, let there be no confusion. The Holy Spirit works to convict us to push away from the ensnarement of sin (doing that which is wrong) and towards God in freedom. The condemning spirit of the enemy of our faith works to push us away from God in shame and condemnation, so we are more prone in hopelessness, to continue to do what we should NOT.
“There are two feelings we can experience after we’ve sinned. One is conviction and the other is condemnation. Conviction is from the Holy Spirit, prompting us to confess and be restored to fellowship so God can continue to bless us. Its purpose is to draw us closer to God. Condemnation is from Satan, trying to convince us that we’re no good, and that God will never forgive us. It’s purpose is to keep us away from God by making us feel guilty.
“As soon as we confess our sins, we’re forgiven and the sin is forgotten as God immediately purifies us from all unrighteousness (See: 1 John 1:9). Any bad feelings we have after that are feelings of guilt that come from Satan.
“So if you’re being drawn closer to God, you’re feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit. But if you feel like hiding from God and begin to doubt His love for you, you’re feeling condemnation from the devil. Rebuke those feelings in the name of Jesus. Resist the devil and he’ll flee from you” (see: James 4:7-10). (Jack Kelley, of Grace Thru Faith Ministries)
Furthermore:
“There is a simple test to see if you experiencing condemnation by the enemy or gentle conviction by the Holy Spirit. Guilt and/or shame will draw you further away from the Lord deeper into sin. Conviction is the Holy Spirit nudging us to confess and turn from the sin as He provides the power to overcome” (See: Romans 2:4; Romans 8:31-39; Philippians 4:13; Luke 22:31-32). (Robin Samson of Heart of Wisdom.com)
To help you further to discern the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of the devil, we are going to share with you additional principles and scriptural references that we believe will empower you in your spiritual life, your personal life, as well as your married life.
Why is this relevant to marriage? It is relevant because the condemning method of the enemy of our faith works to draw us away from the healthy thinking and actions that God wants us to embrace. And when that happens our marriages are in peril of being weakened and destroyed. When we draw towards God, we have the power of the Holy Spirit working within us to do what is good, noble, right and pure.
The following is a short study of what the Bible tells us about the character of God and the character of enemy of our faith. We pray it will inspire you to dig deeper into studying the Bible so you will rightly discern what is Truth both now and in the future.
1. Tone of the enemy of our faith: Accusing, nagging —it’s a mocking voice generating fear and shame causing confusion, projecting a sense of rejection and ministering questions like: “Has God indeed said?” He’s the father of lies (see: John 8:44). He’s deceitful, pretending to know what’s best for you.
- TONE OF VOICE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT: Loving voice of our Father, imploring, beseeching and urging our return to Him …as we’re told in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me all ye who are weary and heavy laden…” And in John 11:32 where Jesus says, “…I will draw all men to myself.”
2. The enemy of our faith’s messages are vague and general: He generates a blanketing, choking sense of general guilt, as though everything is wrong and there’s no one action you can really take to overcome. Often a sense of complete hopelessness and weakness prevails. The enemy attacks you in general. You can’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. You feel helpless and hopeless focusing on half-truths.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT IS SPECIFIC: The Spirit says, “Fix this one thing and you’ll be free.” He commands you to take one specific action — to make a choice of your will. “And you must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which cannot profit or deliver because they’re futile. For the Lord will not abandon His people” (1 Samuel 12:21-22).
The conviction of the Spirit is specific to the sin. The Spirit defends you against your over-sensitive conscience. He draws you to God.
3. Discouragement is the message of the enemy of our faith: He centers his attack on you as a person and cuts your self-image to ribbons. He pushes to agitate and provokes you to be disobedient to God (see: 1 Chronicles 21:1) and tempts you in areas of weakness. He tells you that you are weak and not one of God’s chosen ones. He tries to ruin you without cause (see: Job 2:3).
He tries to deceive (see: Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelations 12:9). He continually accuses you before God (see: Revelations 12:10; Revelations 20:3). He is impatient and feeds anxious feelings.
He schemes against you sending discouragement as flaming missiles (see: Ephesians 6:16). He tries to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord (see: Acts 13:10).
- ENCOURAGEMENT IS GOD’S MESSAGE: He encourages you to rely on God’s power, not on your own righteousness or strength (see: 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 23; Psalm 37:5-7; Proverbs 3:24-26). He encourages you to be anxious for nothing and most times doesn’t give a deadline. He comforts and encourages the broken hearted and proclaims liberty for the captives (see: Isaiah 61:1). He even makes intercession for you (see: Romans 8:26).
4. “Remember all the past” says the enemy: The devil replays the videos of your past memories of sin and guilt and shame. He draws up accounts of your past sins, failures and offenses that are under the blood.
- “FORGET THE PAST!” IS THE SPIRIT SPEAKING: The Holy Spirit tells you your sin is forgotten, cleansed, removed, covered and put away, never to be held against you. (see: John 1:29; Psalm 103:12; 1 John 1:7-9; Psalm 51:7; Micah 7:19; Hebrews 10:17; Philippians 3:13; Matthew 12:31; Psalm 34:7-8)
5. The message of the enemy is rejection as by the holiness of God: He disguises himself as an agent of holiness and an angel of light (see: 2 Corinthians 11:14). He produces the feeling that God has rejected you as unworthy and unholy. Satan speaks of God as your judge and you as a miserable sinner. He emphasizes “good works” instead of God’s grace. The message is to “do, do, do” and yet you can never “do” enough to “measure up.”
- THE HOLY SPIRIT DRAWS YOU TO GOD: There is a pull of attraction towards God. He generates in you an unexpected kindness, love, long-suffering, forgiveness and new beginning with God’s help. The Holy Spirit speaks of your permanent relationship with God, drawing you to the Son of your Father (see: Joshua 1:8-9). The emphasis is to experience and live in God’s grace and forgiveness! He desires all men to be saved to come to the knowledge of truth (see: 1 Timothy 2:4).
6. The enemy brings negative scriptures to mind: As Shakespeare said, “The devil knows how to quote scripture to his purpose!” Satan threatens judgment and says, “Grace is denied because you didn’t fulfill the conditions!” He uses the Law against you to justify yourself and rely on your own righteousness (see: Romans 10:3; Galatians 2:16). He comes and sometimes takes away the word which has been sown (see: Mark 4:15).
- THE HOLY SPIRIT BRINGS POSITIVE SCRIPTURES TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE: (see: John 14:26) He speaks of the unchanging nature of God and of His steadfast love towards us. He confirms that God remains faithful to His covenant (see 1 John 1:9; Hebrews 10:23) even when we prove faithless for a time (see: 1 John 3:20). The Spirit reassures us that there is no law that is effective against those who rely on Christ’s work (see: Colossians 2:14, Psalm 25:8-14; Psalm 40:1-5). He assures us that He is our help and strength (see: Psalm 121 and Psalm 146).
7. The enemy works to isolate you: Suggestions are sown that cause you to withdraw from other Christians and works on you to think that they reject you. In your isolation, you then feel lonely, hurt, unworthy, rejected by others and angry (see: 2 Corinthians 4:4). He works to divide you from others.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT DRAWS YOU INTO FELLOWSHIP: The Spirit sends others to minister to you in love — thus you learn to accept other’s words of encouragement and to appreciate one another and their ministry to you (see: 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 12:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25). He sends others to open your eyes to turn from darkness to light so you may receive forgiveness (see: Acts 26:18). He works to unite us in love with other believers (see Luke 22:31-32).
8. The enemy of our faith emphasizes feelings: He tells you that the way you feel is the way things really are, even if facts differ (i.e. feelings are truth!). Your feelings of guilt, despair, hopelessness and doubt of God’s love for you are made to seem real. He encourages feelings of frustration at God’s unfairness and partiality and focuses on half-truths to cajole and control you and acts as a stumbling block to set your mind on your interests above God’s.
- THE HOLY SPIRIT STATES FACTS AND TRUTHS ABOUT YOU AND GOD: Feelings will follow faith in these facts! The Holy Spirit gives you correct doctrine and the whole truth. Learn your theology to avoid being fooled by Satan (see: Romans 16:19). The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth to move, influence and inspire you (see: John 16:13; Matthew 10:26-28; Psalm 19; John 8:45). He will also guide you to set your mind on God’s interest instead of man’s interests (see: Matthew 16:23; Colossians 3:1-2).
9. The attack of the enemy is destructive and demoralizing: The object is to get you to curse God to his face (see: Job 2:5). He fills your heart to lie (see: Acts 5:3). He encourages selfish ambition, arrogance, lying, bitterness, jealousy and disorder (see: James 3:13-16).
- THE HOLY SPIRIT DISCIPLINES IN JUSTICE: He disciplines as a loving Heavenly Father (see: Proverbs 3:11-12; Job 5:17; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Hebrews 12:6-11). His wisdom is pure then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy, and unwavering without hypocrisy (see: James 3:17).
10. The Devil accuses: He accuses you of having committed the unpardonable sin (see: Zechariah 3:1). He’s quick to judge and quick to accuse (see: Revelation 12:10).
- THE HOLY SPIRIT REASSURES YOU OF GOD’S FORGIVENESS: He states the fact that it is Christ who saved you and continues to keep you (see: 2 Chronicles 34:27-28; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103.8-13; John 3:17). He reminds you that God is patient and long-suffering (see: Numbers 14:18; Isaiah 30:18).
THINK ABOUT IT:
What is the purpose of the enemy of our faith in accusing and condemning us? It is to draw us away from God and to render us helpless to ourselves and to others!
What is the purpose of the Holy Spirit convicting us? It is to draw us to God and to each other and to help us to be all we can be!
The Enemy:
- Speaks in half-truths
- Pushes, agitates
- Emphasizes: “Do, do do…”
- Divides people
- Encourages our willfulness against God’s ways
- Tells us we are inadequate
- Encourages complaining
OUR HOLY SPIRIT:
- Is about the whole truth
- Wants us to be anxious for nothing
- Emphasizes: “Be, be, be…”
- Unites people
- Emphasizes the will of our Heavenly Father
- Empowers us
- Encourages contentment
The emphasis is that we’re to study all that God is in the Bible. We need to keep in mind that God is strong and He does not tolerate sin. He is our judge, but He is a fair judge who punishes and disciplines us, always wanting to draw us to Himself —not push us away from Himself. The devil’s purpose is to pull us away from God and his people.
God is very straightforward and direct. The enemy is sneaky.
As you go with God, you will push away that which you should release and embrace that which you should hold onto through his guidance —with His strength.
The above article was compiled by Cindy Wright of Marriage Missions. It is a compilation of years of research and study (from personal study of scripture, various sermons she has heard, and help from others who have pointed out additional points).
Additionally, below are several web site links to articles giving additional insight into this subject that we pray will help you further. Please click onto the links to read:
• CONDEMNATION VERSUS CONVICTION
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(CANADA) Thanks a lot for this message. I’ve realised how much of the enemy’s voice I’ve been listening to. I knew it was wrong but even the strength to pray has been wiped out because I feel ashamed and guilty because God has been so faithful to me.
I’ve been thinking that God must be so tired of me coz I confess what I feel and ask for forgiveness then I just let go of His hand. Please pray for me for the enemy is really attacking me. Even praying with my husband is something I feel I can’t do anymore coz my heart is not right. Any advice for me from anybody I’ll be grateful. Please continue praying for me and for my husband too for his walk with God to be stronger than it is. Thank you all. Cindy, is there anything you can recommend? God bless you all love you all.
(USA) Hi Anne, Bless your heart! I’ve sure “been there and have done that” as far as listening to the enemy’s voice. I’ve also allowed the enemy to convince me that “God must be so tired of me” at various times in my life, like what you said.
But think about it… are you tired of your children when they earnestly come to you asking for the help that you told them you would give freely and willingly? And think about it… God isn’t just a bigger and better version of human-beings. He doesn’t tire like we do and the Bible tells us that He is patient and long-suffering with His children. Because He is God, He has an endless reserve of love and patience and willingness to help us in the ways that we need it. If we need chastisement, He will do that out of love as our Heavenly Father. If He is silent for a time, then we need to consider that there is a reason and we need to persevere in faith — trusting our Father’s heart.
If you feel “ashamed and guilty” because of God’s faithfulness, then ask God if those feelings are from Him or the enemy. We’re told in the Bible to “test the spirits” because the enemy of our faith is deceitful. He also comes disguised “as an angel of light” — which basically tells us that sometimes we think we’re dealing with God and we aren’t. It’s a “false light” that we’re dealing with. If we’re earnestly seeking God and we’ve confessed what we should and are repentant, and if we feel driven to hesitate from praying, then from what I read in the Bible, there is a false spirit at work from which we need to flee.
Anne, I don’t know what you have going on in your life, and to be honest, I don’t have to know. God knows. Go to Him always and without hesitation. He will not reject a willing heart.
As far as resources that I can recommend on this, there are so many. And hopefully, someone else will respond to your asking. For one resource that I would recommend, you’ll have to wait until the Marriage Message comes out on Saturday. (I will be posting it on the web site on the front page on Sunday.) It will be Marriage Message #24 (I’m swapping out the one that we currently have in that place and am writing “How Big is Your God — Marriage Message #24″). I’ve been working on this for a while. It will tell of some resources you can view and/or obtain on the Internet (ones that you can’t obtain through Marriage Missions). If you have questions afterward, ask at that time and I’ll do the best I can.
Also, I’m presently reading a book that came highly recommended to me. So far I’ve only read the Foreword… but it looks really good and it’s a “New York Times Bestseller” with over 2 million copies in print. It’s called “The Shack” by William Paul Young, published by Windblown Media. You can get it on Amazon.com. And if you go through the window on the front page of our web site, Amazon.com will give us a small percentage of the cost from their profit (which we use to help support the ministry of Marriage Missions). Anything you get by going through our web site on Amazon (whether it’s a book or whatever) they will give Marriage Missions a small percentage. But whether you do this or get the book elsewhere, the book looks good and I think I can recommend it without hesitation.
One of the reviews I read says it “will leave you craving for the presence of God.” Another says “This story reads like a prayer — like the best kind of prayer filled with sweat and wonder and transparency and surprise. If you read one work of fiction this year, let this be it.” And that’s what I want to tell you. This is fiction. I don’t normally read fiction because I have so many non-fiction books I’m trying to read. But this came so highly recommended and I heard the author speak about this book and was impressed, I thought that because of the theme of this book, I’d read it.
Another reviewer said, that she read it “during a very difficult transition” in her life. She said “this story has blown the door wide open to my soul.” I can’t speak much for the book because I haven’t read it, but it sounds interesting and I sure was impressed with the Foreword. You might try it.
Another thing I would encourage you to do is to ask your pastor and other Christian people that you respect for recommendations.
And lastly, something that really helps me is to stay in God’s word. I go to a Woman’s Bible Study (actually 2 different ones) that keeps me in the word of God. I will tend to get lazy in my study time and will find ways to eventually procrastinate because I’m so “busy” — which is true in some ways — but I know that I should never get so busy that I don’t MAKE the time to “rightly” study the word of God as we’re told to do in 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. I’ve taught quite a few studies (so it will force me to study more diligently) but for now, I attend one instead and it still forces me to study diligently.
The main Bible Study I go to is a Beth Moore study using her DVD’s and workbooks. It meets at a church. Currently we are studying “A Woman’s Heart… God’s Dwelling Place” and it is steeped in scripture study and is very challenging. (The other study I go to is one that involves worship, singing, and Bible reading — with no particular theme to it — other than pure worship and praise with other women. It meets in a woman’s home that is located close to ours. I feel like I get a good balance between both meetings.)
I encourage you to seek out other believers who are studying the word of God so you can use them for accountability. This will “stir you on to love and good deeds” as the Bible talks about as you “assemble together.” If that won’t work for you, ask God to point out to you what will. This will help you so you might not go through as many “dry” times spiritually. I find that if we don’t find ways to spur us on to keep seeking God’s heart, we can get off track sometimes. It sounds like this is what has happened to you. I certainly can’t “throw stones” because as I said, I’ve been there before myself, but hopefully what I’ve just written will help in some ways as a woman of God, a wife, and a mother. May God bless you as you seek His heart!
(CANADA) Hi Cindy thanks a lot for all your help. Trust me I felt so much better to see that someone else has gone through the same thing and understands that it’s not easy nor is it a good feeling. I’m praying to find a prayer or bible study group. I know they have them in our church but my shifts are in the evening so it’s hard to go. Pray for me so that God may provide a way and for Him to help me find a group that works for me.
I’ll get that book you recommended, for now I’m reading the POWER OF A POSITIVE WIFE which I found out from this site on one of the resources. I just started it and so far it’s good. What I need to learn and discipline myself is to really work on following the word of God coz my heart truly yearns for a better relationship with Him and I know it’s also good for my marriage. Thank you so much and for your prayers. God bless and I’ll update you as I go through this journey of truly being a woman of God.
(USA) A really good Christian book to read, if you want a deeper relationship with God and/or you are going through a crisis and wondering of the meaning for it in your life, is "Shattered Dreams" by Larry Crabb. I found it very eye-opening and well worth the read for any Christian seeking something deeper. God bless.
(SOUTH AFRICA) Dear Cindy, I thank God for you writing this inspired article and message! Thank you so much! It came at the right time in my life and I asked God to forgive and forget my past sins. I want to walk daily (moment by moment) with Him -His Holy Spirit to help and guide me in my personal relationship while here on earth!
I thank God through Jesus that He enfolds me with His loving arms of forgiveness and healing! Please pray for an annointing on my will to remain loyal, honest and just. He is my rest and leads me daily in the paths of righteousness! The freedom that He gives is a healing balm to my soul! Please pray for me continuously. I asked God to protect me from temptations in my thoughts, words and deeds! God bless and annoint your work!