Have you ever wished you could know the difference between conviction and condemnation? Are you tired of feeling weighed down with guilt and shame?
If so, you’re not alone! I believe condemnation is one of our most common and crippling heart-struggles. And I’m determined to kick them to the curb! I hope you’ll join me.
In my Proverbs 31 Ministries devotion today, I share the major difference between condemnation and conviction.
Condemnation is usually a broad stroke of shame that sweeps across our thoughts with generalized statements about who we are in an insulting and accusing way. The tone of condemnation is always accusing, questioning, confusing and will leads to feelings of guilt and self-hatred.
Conviction is specific and won’t condemn us for who we are, but will be more focused on something we’ve done. The Holy Spirit’s conviction always includes wisdom and instruction to lead us towards resolution, not shame.
Condemnation focuses on the problem. Conviction offers a solution.
- Take a minute to write down the most frequent shaming, blaming or accusing thoughts you have that make you feel condemned.
- Using the contrasting examples between conviction and condemnation below, re-write the statement and replace your words of condemnation with convicting yet loving truths the Holy Spirit might say.
- Be sure to offer yourself forgiveness plus a solution that reflects God’s goal of restoration and His tone of grace.
Instead of the lie: “You’re such a failure as a [wife, mom, daughter, friend],” the Holy Spirit might say, “You were really critical the way you talked to _________. You need to say you’re sorry and ask forgiveness. Then say something to build them up instead of tearing them down.”
Instead of the accusing label: “You’re so hypocritical!” The Holy Spirit might say, “You judge others for gossiping, but you’re doing the same thing when you talk about your neighbor at work. Apologize for what you said today and share a few things that are positive about her.”
These are two steps to help us kick condemnation to the curb, and there’s more but….
** Due to technical roadblocks and major scheduling challenges, my “3 Ways to Kick Condemnation to the Curb” is not quite finalized. But no worries!! I’d LOVE to SEND it to YOU via EMAIL today this week. Just ENTER your EMAIL below!
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It is always encouraging to be reminded of the difference between God’s correction and the enemy’s condemnation. I am in a weird place in my life right now where I need a breakthrough in my faith and trust in God. Often times I feel unworthy and allow doubts to prevent me from praying but I am determined to press on regardless. Thank you for these encouraging words!
Thank you so much for this devotional. I struggle daily with this. I have made some wrong choices in my life and I hear the voice of the devil, letting my know all my failures, ready to listen to the voice of my savior !!!
I love the devotions. The past two years have been rough for me. I cared for my sister who had Parkensins and breast cancer which spread to her liver, she was unable to walk due to a fall:(. She passed away in November. The devotions are what helped me through the long days and nights. It seemed like they were always right on time. Keep doing what you are doing, you are a true instrument of God. Blessings to you,
Karen
This is definitely a God timed devotional and post for me to read as I have been dealing with a difficult situation with my job and at times some equally difficult situations at home. Many times the enemy has come and whispered thoughts that leave me feeling sick to my stomach or in a near panic attack. Your words today have given me a practical way to look at this situation and others that may arise so that I don’t get bogged down in condemnation. I would really enjoy receiving other materials from you hat would help me and other women to walk in victory over condemning thoughts.
What a great devotion. I totally do that every day to myself. Thank you for helping me understand the difference! May God bless us all today!
Thank you for speaking on this subject. I have never heard or looked at my feelings with the perspective of condemnation vs conviction. I can see now how thenLordnhas shown me these areas to work on, but the devil uses these same areas of weakness to depress me and try to make me feel horrible and that change/improvement is impossible. Thank you for your words, they have truly been a blessing today and I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for your devotional…I loved your practical teaching on the difference between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the condemnation of Satans attacks. As a mom of four young ones, it’s just what I needed to give me a boost this morning and to realize I need to listen to that still, small voice of encouragement instead of the loud, harsh voice that tears me down.
Such a good topic! I have struggled with condemnation and need to re-train myself to think about how that comes from satan. God wants to convict so I can change and He is always ready to forgive me – that is so comforting.
Thank you for the opportunity to win these incredible gifts.
Keep Writing!!
Your honesty is life saving to those of us struggling with many of the same issues. Just yesterday I was caught in a whirlwind of self-condemnation about my lack of focus in being organized and it all began by trying to get household tasks done while juggling the needs of my little ones. My condemnation about lack of organization turned into sel condemnation about being a failure as a mom once I lost my peace while trying to accomish my tasks. Your devotional today brought me to tears. I knew my thoughts were not from a living Heavenly Father, and your words are so true. I have to search for the truth in those moment when I allow my emotions to weaken my clarity and discernment. I just have to fall in my knees and call out to the only one who will provide life in moments that feel like the opposite of life. The Holy Spirit has nothing but love and encouragement and trusting that will usher us through the challenges of this season of life and many to come. I found myself tearfully thankful and praising His unfailing, long suffering love this morning. Thank you Renee.
I have to be very intentional to not listen to what I call the Satan tapes…he knows the ones to play that can cause me to doubt. Thank you for sharing these words today and to further remind me to focus on God’s convictions rather than Satan’s condemnation.
You are so welcome. Glad you are here Tina!
I really like this, so much power and meaning.
Love how God is speaking today to each of us!
Thank you for your post this morning! It was just what my heart needed. I constantly hear things in my head like “He deserves a better wife, they deserve a better mom, etc”. Now I know that is condemnation from the enemy and not conviction. The next time I hear those words, I will remember your phrase that condemnation focuses on the problem, conviction offers a solution.
Love that!! And can you see how much that condemnation paralyzes you from becoming more of the wife and mom your heart longs to be?? I think that is just what Satan wants. If he can get us stuck in the pit, we can’t become all God created us to be. No more, I say. Let’s kick condemnation to the curb together, and tap into the life-changing wisdom of conviction that leads to a solution!
Struggling with condemnation and having let the guilt touch so many parts of my life has become overwhelming at times. I look forward to learning and growing into finding the conviction and love God intended. It’s time I stopped letting the condemnation have a hold on my life and relationships.
Yes, it’s time Kalie!! Time for us all. I know we’re missing out on so much, so much of what jesus died to give us when we given into condemnation over grace. It was for freedom that HE set us free!! Let’s show Him how much we treasure His sacrifice by doing what it takes to kick condemnation to the curb!!
I needed this so much today! It spoke to me about situations with my husband, my kids, and also a coworker! I would very much love to win a packet & thank you for offering it to us! Bless you Renee and your ministry!
Thank {YOU} Jan for sharing how God used today’s devotion and post to encourage you, and how you shared it. He’s so good!!
So thankful for God’s conviction. So much more freeing then living under condemnation.
Amen! Me too!
Thank you for your message today. My mind gets so clogged with condemning thoughts knowing the start of them stems from Satan, but I didn’t realize the condemning myself after the thought was also from him. It is good to realize that it is not the Holy Spirit giving me guilt, he gives direction. To be able to identify this whole condemning process is Satan gives me freedom to ask the Spirit for direction and stop condemning myself!
Love hearing the insights and freedom you gained from today’s post. 🙂 Thank you for sharing Emily!
I am just here, lost, nearly bedridden. My house is a wreck, my kids are out of sync, my faith needs recharged. Your words with God’s are such a sweet blessing to me.
Praying for you Halona. You are loved and cherished by Your maker!! So glad He led you here today!
i can be having a great day, then I do or say something and my whole day seems to fall apart from the guilt I experience. Some things that are helpful to me are to stop and thank God for the opportunity to fix the things I just did that were out of line with his will. I can be an example to others by asking forgiveness and explaining what I did or said was not right. I think it’s an opportunity to reach out to other’s and show them grace and they can see God forgives not only me but them in the same situation.
I love your suggestions and the process you have found to help you, Amber!! It helps so much when I stop myself before I spiral into condemnation, and instead think through what happened and then process it with Jesus, leaning on HIs perspective instead of my own. Your steps are just exactly what He wants us to do. Thank you for sharing!
I am living …..struggling through …..with condemnation in my ear. I know Jesus loves me …..but, I have gained 30lbs, my house is in disarray, my homeschooling is behind. I need to break free of condemnation. I want to grow in grace and feel HIS love. I am looking forward to reading your blog.
I can relate to Donna’s statement above…gained weight, house never good enough, I”M never good enough seems to play in my mind before I get up and when I lie down. Jesus, free me from this condemnation and set me free to be who you made me to be. Thank you for your daily blog. I was reading John in my Bible, looked up Proverbs 31, and today’s verse was what I had just read! God is Good!
Hi Donna, I would LOVE to send you my free 5-day EMAIL devotional that I think would really encourage your heart in all that you are going through. Here’s a link to the page where you can sign up to receive it: http://reneeswope.com/aconfidentheart/7-day-doubt-diet/
I really appreciate this post. Your entire scenario (kitchen & all) could have been about me. Thank you for helping to remind me to look for the difference between condemnation & conviction. I definitely needed the reminder. I would absolutely love to win the give-away to help me KC2TC!!
Thank you Chasidy for making me feel normal by letting me know you act that way in your kitchen too! 🙂