Has Your Conviction Been Stolen?
Good Morning Girls! Yesterday we talked about the kind of conviction that comes on strong and leaves us excited and ready to carry it out. In my opinion it is the best kind of conviction. However, it has been my experience that conviction does not always come packaged so neatly. I want to show you another example in the book of Acts.....
If you have time I encourage you to read Acts 24. It is the account of Paul going before Felix who was governor in Rome at the time of Paul's arrest. Paul plead his case before Felix and Felix wanted to wait until another commander arrived before deciding the case. He kept Paul in custody but allowed him some freedoms and let his friends come and care for him and visit him. He was obviously given some favor. It says that Felix was quite familiar with the Way.
In fact, Felix seemed quite interested in what Paul had to say. A few days later he brought his wife, who was Jewish, with him to listen to Paul speak more about his faith in Jesus Christ. Felix listened but then something happened......
Acts 24:25 As he (paul) reasoned with them (Felix and his wife) about righteousness and self control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied.
Again Girls, I am no bible scholar, but here is what I think. I think Felix was feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit drawing him close. That is why he gave Paul special treatment. That is why he brought his wife with him and summoned Paul to share more with them. He was drawing close to the Lord. But then something happened. The condemnation hit. Felix had made many mistakes in his past. He was a sinner just like we all are. I believe that as Paul spoke, trying to share with them the Good News of salvation and forgiveness, the devil also spoke to Felix saying "when the day of judgment comes, you are a goner. Do you really think this God of their's will forgive you for what you've done. Surely not. In fact, if you even try to follow them you will be worse off because they will see just how filthy and rotten you are. This God they talk about you will surely punish you for your sins. No way will he forgive you!" I believe Felix suddenly felt the heat and got scared. That is why he sent Paul away.
You see, Felix was missing the point. He was unable to see what the very foundation of the Good News is. He was unable to experience the grace of forgiveness. The conviction he had felt earlier was stolen from him by the enemy and replaced with condemnation. I said at the beginning of this series: conviction draws you to the Lord, condemnation causes you to pull away.
My question to you Girls is this: has the devil stolen your conviction and replaced it with condemnation? For example; when you decide to work on your marriage, does the devil remind you of all the reasons why you don't deserve a good marriage, and you give in and quit? When you decide to start exercising and the devil reminds you of all your physical restrictions, do you give in and quit? When you decide to give up sugar and the devil reminds you of all of your past failed attempts, do you agree and quit? When you have hands laid on you for healing and feel at the time you are restored, but as soon as a symptom returns, you think "oh well, maybe next time."? Do you get all excited about financial breakthrough and then when the washing machine breaks believe that things will never change, and give up? Those are just a few examples of your conviction being stolen from you, and being replaced with condemnation.
Regardless of how the condemnation comes; whether it is directed at your mistakes, your lack of talent, credibility, or ability, the result is the same. You turn away from your conviction, and pull away from the Lord. You pull away because you feel unworthy. You pull away because you feel angry. You pull away, because drawing near doesn't seem to do any good.
Take some time today to look at the desires in your heart that you have told to "go away for now". Did the enemy of your faith steal your conviction in those areas? Did he replace them with condemnation in the form of doubt, guilt, frustration, or disbelief. Ask the Lord to help you reclaim your conviction and put the devil and his condemnation under your feet.....where it belongs!
Acts 24:25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self- control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied.
Love you all-
Jen
If you have time I encourage you to read Acts 24. It is the account of Paul going before Felix who was governor in Rome at the time of Paul's arrest. Paul plead his case before Felix and Felix wanted to wait until another commander arrived before deciding the case. He kept Paul in custody but allowed him some freedoms and let his friends come and care for him and visit him. He was obviously given some favor. It says that Felix was quite familiar with the Way.
In fact, Felix seemed quite interested in what Paul had to say. A few days later he brought his wife, who was Jewish, with him to listen to Paul speak more about his faith in Jesus Christ. Felix listened but then something happened......
Acts 24:25 As he (paul) reasoned with them (Felix and his wife) about righteousness and self control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied.
Again Girls, I am no bible scholar, but here is what I think. I think Felix was feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit drawing him close. That is why he gave Paul special treatment. That is why he brought his wife with him and summoned Paul to share more with them. He was drawing close to the Lord. But then something happened. The condemnation hit. Felix had made many mistakes in his past. He was a sinner just like we all are. I believe that as Paul spoke, trying to share with them the Good News of salvation and forgiveness, the devil also spoke to Felix saying "when the day of judgment comes, you are a goner. Do you really think this God of their's will forgive you for what you've done. Surely not. In fact, if you even try to follow them you will be worse off because they will see just how filthy and rotten you are. This God they talk about you will surely punish you for your sins. No way will he forgive you!" I believe Felix suddenly felt the heat and got scared. That is why he sent Paul away.
You see, Felix was missing the point. He was unable to see what the very foundation of the Good News is. He was unable to experience the grace of forgiveness. The conviction he had felt earlier was stolen from him by the enemy and replaced with condemnation. I said at the beginning of this series: conviction draws you to the Lord, condemnation causes you to pull away.
My question to you Girls is this: has the devil stolen your conviction and replaced it with condemnation? For example; when you decide to work on your marriage, does the devil remind you of all the reasons why you don't deserve a good marriage, and you give in and quit? When you decide to start exercising and the devil reminds you of all your physical restrictions, do you give in and quit? When you decide to give up sugar and the devil reminds you of all of your past failed attempts, do you agree and quit? When you have hands laid on you for healing and feel at the time you are restored, but as soon as a symptom returns, you think "oh well, maybe next time."? Do you get all excited about financial breakthrough and then when the washing machine breaks believe that things will never change, and give up? Those are just a few examples of your conviction being stolen from you, and being replaced with condemnation.
Regardless of how the condemnation comes; whether it is directed at your mistakes, your lack of talent, credibility, or ability, the result is the same. You turn away from your conviction, and pull away from the Lord. You pull away because you feel unworthy. You pull away because you feel angry. You pull away, because drawing near doesn't seem to do any good.
Take some time today to look at the desires in your heart that you have told to "go away for now". Did the enemy of your faith steal your conviction in those areas? Did he replace them with condemnation in the form of doubt, guilt, frustration, or disbelief. Ask the Lord to help you reclaim your conviction and put the devil and his condemnation under your feet.....where it belongs!
Acts 24:25 As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self- control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied.
Love you all-
Jen
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