So you missed the mark on something, how does it make you feel? Are you sensitive enough to be able to respond appropriately or do you tend to be too sensitive or not sensitive enough? When it happens, in that moment have you ever felt the Holy Spirit speaking to you and convicting you of that sin in hopes of directing you and correcting you in order to keep you close to God? When it happens, in that moment have you ever felt the devil speaking to you and condemning you for that sin in hopes of tearing you down and causing you to keep your distance from God?
Let’s compare the definitions to see what we find:
![conviction
[kənˈvikSH(ə)n]
NOUN
conviction (noun) · convictions (plural noun)
a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
"she had a previous conviction for a similar offense"
synonyms:
declaration/pronouncement of guilt · sentence · judgment
antonyms:
acquittal
a firmly held belief or opinion.
"she takes pride in stating her political convictions" · "his conviction that the death was no accident"
synonyms:
belief · opinion · view · thought · persuasion · idea · position · stance · (article of) faith · credo · creed · tenet · dogma
the quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says.
"his voice lacked conviction"
synonyms:
certainty · certitude · assurance · confidence · sureness · positiveness · no shadow of a doubt
antonyms:
uncertainty · doubt
ORIGIN
late Middle English: from Latin convictio(n-), from the verb convincere (see convince).](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/image.png)
![condemnation
[ˌkändəmˈnāSH(ə)n]
NOUN
condemnation (noun) · condemnations (plural noun)
the expression of very strong disapproval; censure.
"there was strong international condemnation of the attack"
synonyms:
censure · criticism · castigation · stricture · denunciation · damnation · vilification · opprobrium · reproof · disapproval · disapprobation · reprobation · arraignment · excoriation · objurgation
antonyms:
praise · plaudits
the action of condemning someone to a punishment; sentencing.](https://from2005toeternity.files.wordpress.com/2021/12/image-1.png)
So there is a difference. And the who that tries to use them when you miss the mark and sin tends to be different too. So today, let’s work to be sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to get back on track, be reconciled with those we have hurt and with God, and get back to living lives that will bring God the praise, the honor, and the glory in Jesus’s name.
THE ONE YEAR DAILY INSIGHTS
WITH ZIG ZIGLAR AND DR. IKE REIGHARD
FOR DECEMBER 3RD
No Condemnation
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY:
‘There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. ‘
Romans 8:1
Let’s check out with more context what is being spoken to the Romans by expanding the text and using the Amplified version. Check out the book of Romans and grab hold of the truths found in it. Ever heard of the Roman Road? You can check out those verses too as they will encourage you.
‘Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], so that the [righteous and just] requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God. However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit]— for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever . For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “ Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration and futility, not willingly [because of some intentional fault on its part], but by the will of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will also be freed from its bondage to decay [and gain entrance] into the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]. For in this hope we were saved [by faith]. But hope [the object of] which is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait eagerly for it with patience and composure. ‘
Romans 8:1-25
POINTS FROM THE DEVOTIONAL:
- Do you tend to be over or under sensitive when it comes to dealing with your sin?
- Do you realize the risk of not being sensitive enough to your sin?
- Do you realize the risk of being overly or too sensitive to your sin?
- Are you grieved by your selfishness and how it hurts others and God?
- Are you grieved by your selfishness and how it pushes God away?
- Are you ready to allow the Holy Spirit to shine light into the situation to help you see more clearly?
- Are you ready to allow the Holy Spirit to shine light into the situation to help get your attention and give you the wisdom and disernment to be able to get back on track?
- Are you ready to become the right amount of sensitive to what the Spirit is saying to you when He is trying to lead and guide and direct you?
- Today’s verse we see Paul looking to address those who are overly or too sensitive.
- He is looking to help those people who are feeling oppressively guilty and filled with shame because of their sin.
- Real guilt focuses on specific sins.
- God uses real guilt to remind us that we we’re forgiven.
- False guilt causes us to be consumed in our hearts and minds with self-condemnation.
- We start to beat ourselves up with bad self talk like “I’m a terrible person” or “I’ll never be any better”.
- The reality Paul gives us in today’s verse is that as believers in Christ, as Christ followers, we never have to fear God’s condemnation again.
- Jesus paid it all! Once for all!
- Jesus took it away! Now and forever!
- God has arms open wide for us to walk into.
- God is pouring out His love to and on us.
- Real guilt is forgiven completely.
- False guilt is washed away by the marlevous truth of God’s unconditional acceptance.
- Are you struggling with the false guilt?
- Are you struggling with the nagging, oppressive shame and feeling you aren’t good enough for God to love you?
- Let God’s forgiveness sink deep into your heart!
- Continue to let your heart sit in the love of God and His forgiveness!
- Allow God’s truth to overwhelm your doubts and shame.
- If you keep feeling it then keep sitting with God and allow His love to speak into and over you till it is gone.
DISCUSSION TOPICS FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
- Describe the cause and impact of false guilt in the lives of sensitive people.
- How does the truth in this verse address false guilt?
QUOTE(S) FROM TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL:
“I have never found any way to undo what Christ has done.”
— Ben Haden
— Zig Ziglar
As we move into December we have finished the readings of the Tanakh and I thank Sefaria for their resources in helping me to see the Old Testament in a new way and my friend Lionel for having shared this tool with me. As we kick off December the idea my wife brought up came to mind about going through the book of Luke (who was a doctor) which happens to have 24 chapters which mean we can read one a day and complete it in time for Christmas. To get as many details from this I am going to use the Amplified version to try and grasp all the details Luke gives us to consider and learn.
So today we will read Luke 3:
‘Now in the fifteenth year of [Emperor] Tiberius Caesar’s reign—when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod [Antipas] was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene— in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas [his son-in-law], the word of God came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. And he went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin; as it is written and forever remains written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, “T he voice of one shouting in the wilderness , ‘P repare the way of the L ord , M ake H is paths straight . E very ravine shall be filled up , A nd every mountain and hill shall be leveled ; A nd the crooked [places] shall be made straight , A nd the rough roads smooth ; and all mankind shall see the salvation of G od .’ ” So he began saying to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath [of God that is] to come? Therefore produce fruit that is worthy of [and consistent with your] repentance [that is, live changed lives, turn from sin and seek God and His righteousness]. And do not even begin to say to yourselves [as a defense], ‘We have Abraham for our father [and so our heritage assures us of salvation]’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham [for God can replace the unrepentant, regardless of their heritage, with those who are obedient]. Even now the axe [of God’s judgment] is swinging toward the root of the trees; so every tree that does not produce good fruit is being cut down and thrown into the fire.” The crowds asked him, “Then what are we to do?” And John replied, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do the same.” Even some tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked, “Teacher, what are we to do?” And he told them, “Collect no more than the fixed amount you have been ordered to [collect].” Some soldiers asked him, “And what about us, what are we to do?” And he replied to them, “Do not extort money from anyone or harass or blackmail anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were in a state of expectation, and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave]. He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom); but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.” So with many other appeals and various admonitions John preached the good news (gospel) to the people. But when Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch was repeatedly reprimanded [and convicted by John’s disapproval] for having Herodias, his brother’s wife [as his own], and for all the wicked things that Herod had done, he also added this to them all: he locked up John in prison. Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, the [visible] heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are My Son, My Beloved, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!” When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son [by marriage] of Eli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Hesli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Ram, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Heber, the son of Shelah, the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.’
Luke 3:1-38
So where are you at today? Are you conflicted between conviction and condemnation? Are you too sensitive or not sensitive enough when it comes to your sin and how it impacts others and your relationship with God? Are you confused and uncertain where you stand? Are you unsure of your final destination? Why not invite Jesus into the situation and ask for His help through the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you and get you back on track? Why not ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment when you feel conflicted or unsure? Let’s pray:
I come to you in prayer asking for the
forgiveness of my Sins. I confess with my
mouth and believe with my heart that
Jesus is your Son, And that he died on the
Cross at Calvary that I might be forgiven.
and have Eternal Life in the Kingdom of
Heaven. Father, I believe that Jesus rose
from the dead and I ask you right now to
come in to my life and be my personal
Lord and Savior. I repent of my Sins and
will Worship you all the day’s of my Life!
Because your word is truth, I confess with
my mouth that I am Born Again and
Cleansed by the Blood of Jesus! In Jesus
Name, Amen
Did you pray with me?
Would you be willing to leave me a comment so that I can pray with and for you about such an incredible decision?
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God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 