Personal conviction in this context is the strong believe you hold-on to for your lifestyle. The first step towards personal conviction involves listening to a statement or observing a practice. The second step requires deep thought about such issue, and the last step towards a personal conviction is making a favorable choice that suits you.

There are lots of unnecessary differences among us in the Christendom. And at a point I wonder if we are all serving the same Lord Jesus Christ? It is difficult to find a ‘common ground’ on many issues springing up in our midst.

The argument among Christians in our generation is so tough that it has become endless. I noticed that a lot of Christians give reasons for their action based on personal conviction. Today’s message will focus on the correlation of the Mind of God and our personal conviction.

Difference between Personal Conviction and Holy Spirit Conviction

The primary aim of personal conviction is to satisfy one’s self, while the conviction of the Holy Spirit is to satisfy God – Two different entities!! I believe you would agree with me that before we give our lives to Jesus Christ, we do things that please us in our own way – personal conviction.

But, when we surrender our lives to Jesus, the Holy Spirit convicts us. (John 16:8) And, the Spirit wants us to please God (not in our own way) with His Strong Opinion.

… Huh!! The clash sets in! …

“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth (that contradicts your personal conviction); for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak…” (John 16:13)

For instance, in the early stage of Paul’s new life in Christ, he went through serious issues with his strong opinions. His personal conviction when he was an unbeliever clashed with the strong opinions of the Lord. “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me. Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good… For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find…” (Romans chapter 7).

Romans chapter 8 verses 1 and 2 gave us a clear picture that Paul quit his previous personal convictions and embrace that of the Holy Spirit.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh (personal conviction), but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

Note: A lot of false Pastors with faulty indoctrination misrepresent the statements of Paul written in Romans chapter 7 to encourage a lawless life.

Another example to proof that we cannot mingle personal and Holy Spirit conviction was the case of Peter versus Jesus. Peter had a personal conviction that Jesus cannot be killed, and not to talk about His resurrection.

But, listen to the response of Jesus: “But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:21-23)

The Danger of Personal Conviction in the Church

Unfortunately, when some issues such as; dressing, drinking, music, movies, tattoo, cosmetics, body piercing, games, burial ceremony etc. spring up in the church, it is difficult to agree on the scriptural truth (Holy Spirit Conviction).

Many people thought that their personal convictions were acceptable to the Lord, because their Pastors and the Government supported such practices. They expected God to speak from the roof-top of heaven if their personal convictions are ungodly. But, would the Lord do such? The unpleasant situation of the church is not strange, because it had started long ago in the church at Rome.

Romans chapter 1: “…For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (false Preachers)… because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts (personal conviction), and their foolish hearts were darkened…”

“… And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man (different statue in the church)… Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves (homosexuals, tattoo, piercing of the body in the church)…”

Many people claimed that their personal convictions are liberty in Christ. But, it is heart-breaking to know that the quote below is the order of the day in the Christendom:

“…And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge (Holy Spirit Conviction), God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful…” (Romans chapter 1)

You may feel uneasy about today’s message, but I have just said the truth. God will keep watching us; He won’t open the roof-top of heaven!! Many churches have one or more of the features above troubling the peace of the Christendom.

Can Personal Conviction Take Me to Heaven?

Since the primary function of personal conviction is to satisfy the flesh, then it is wise to deny the carnal nature and to embrace the Holy Spirit conviction. Galatians chapter 5 verse 16 to 23 says: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish…Now the works of the flesh (through personal conviction) are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness…

…idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God…

…But the fruit of the Spirit (through Holy Spirit conviction) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…”

Is Personal Conviction a Private Matter?

When I tried to show some people the scriptural truth against their ungodly personal conviction, they always cut me short and say: “don’t judge me, it is my private matter with God.”

When I preach messages like this, I don’t intend to judge, because I was once trapped into personal conviction. I know the danger attached to staying too long in ones ungodly personal convictions. I thank God for the Spirit of God that opened my eyes to see many things that are not preached on the pulpit again.

My today’s message is not meant to judge anyone, but to open our eyes to the understanding that personal convictions sourced from ungodly belief cannot blend into the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Contrary to popular believe, your conscience is not the author for telling you what is right or wrong. It produces the fruits of righteousness or wrongs that you plant into it.

You may claim that your personal conviction is a private matter, but your lifestyle ministers to people who watch your actions. Since your personal conviction has a strong influence to people, you must look at them to know whether they constitute to a righteous life or they lead you into a life dominated by carnal nature.

Wrong words motivate wrong personal conviction, but the scriptural truth motivates the Holy Spirit conviction in one’s heart. Hebrew chapter 4 verse 12 says: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Your personal conviction sourced from the human nature might be pleasing to your heart, but it is wise to check and balance your believe with the word of God. There is no controversial issue that cannot be handled by the Bible!!