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!
Also, BE sure to ENTER my GIVEAWAY and SIGN UP for the FREE download of God’s Promises too!
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I am giving away 3 Summer Devotional Gift Packs!! Each one winner will receive my “Confident Heart 60-Day Devotional” book, a prayer journal and my “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence” message on CD! Enter to WIN by simply clicking “SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS” below and let me know how I can best help you overcome guilt and condemnation, and if you want to join me in my quest to kick condemnation to the curb! #kc2tc
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Using powerful promises from God’s word, learn how to replace condemning statements you think with loving (and sometimes convicting) truths God wants you to know! Simply enter your email, confirm your sign up, and you’ll receive the download in your inbox this Friday, July 11th.
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I am making progress in this area. I can usually redirect my negative thoughts, and apply a promise. I have one thought that really has a stronghold on me, and it reoccurs repeatedly. It is the thought that others will not want to befriend me or like me. I think they will not be interested in what I have to say. I know I am rejecting others before they can reject me. No matter how many times I rebuke this thought it comes back. I would like help in how to break these strongholds. Thank you for your posts.
Thank you for todays devotion. It was such a comfort and encouragement. It seems like I have struggled with this issue of feeling guilty and shamed forever-a constant struggle to block out the condemming thoughts so that I can hear God’s words of love and acceptance.
I can so relate to your scenario in the kitchen. I can feel so close to God…at peace…and then BOOM, one thing sets me over the edge! And then I feel like a failure…as a wife, a mother, a friend, etc. It was reassuring to be reminded of the difference between condemnation and conviction. I think more reminders of this would be helpful in keeping my mind focused on God’s unconditional love for me.
I love the simplicity of how you break down the difference between God’s conviction and the enemy’s condemnation. I can’t wait to share this knowledge gained from your post. Thank you so much!
Condemnation has overcome me lately. I know in Christ there is no condemnation, but the enemy is really keeping my faults and failures in front of me lately and I can’t seem to get past this. Prayers are so appreciated.
That first sentence alone: “Satan condemns us accusingly to make us fee guilty. God convicts us lovingly to lead our hearts to repentance.” really awakened my need to shut out Satan’s negative talk in my head and instead focus on the Holy Spirit’s soothing instruction. Thank you, Renee!
Thank you for the powerful, clear words you shAred this morning. Lately I’ve been so overwhelmed with satan’s guilt & words that it’s starting to bury me in the sand. Thank you for teaching me there’s a way out! What a gift of hope !
Thank you for the great reminder of something that I know, but am so quick to forget! I have struggled with shame & condemnation many times over the years, most recently again on Monday. I am thankful that there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus. (Rom. 8) The devotion gift pack would be a great way to keep my perspective where it needs to be.
I must admit, I am a mess. I do and say the things to my kids, spouse that I know I shouldn’t. Then terrible guilt sets in. I know God is trying to convict me to change and it is so so hard when I am caught up in the moment and stress of life. Would love to win the giveaway and you can help me KC2TC!! Your words are such a blessing and very timely.
Renee, I appreciate your thoughts on how to look and listen for God to correct and convict. I so often get impatient and fly off the handle with my grown children and say things that I can’t take back. Then I sit and listen to the condemning voice of Satan and literally believe that I am not a good Christian and I should not be in ministry. I am a bad person, not worthy to be a mother, then I stop and rebuke those thoughts and realize that God would never accuse me like that, he would gently give me words of wisdom and make a way for restoration and forgiveness. We are to learn how to correct, repent and restore relationships and not make the same choices, but to go to God first and ask for binding up of our thoughts before they reach out lips. Thank you again for your heart today
Wow! What a tremendous blessing! I have struggled with this most of my life! I am determined to
overcome! Thank you for encouraging me to press through! Hope I’m a winner, but no matter, whoever is blessed to be the winner, will be highly favored by the Lord!
Any time things change in the slightest in my routine, usually a change that means more work for me… it throws me off and then I end up frustrated and my desire to keep working at what I am doing greatly diminishes. But almost as soon as I feel that way, the guilt kicks in for feeling that way and I spend the rest of the day beating myself up over all of it. I don’t know how to stop this process.
Thank you for your words of wisdom today. I find myself in the same situation full of peace one moment and the next it’s gone and the accuser has swept in. It happens a lot with the stresses of my job as a teacher. I am in constant prayer for strength, confidence, and patience. Your devotional sounds like a blessing. Thank you for always being willing to share and witness to the rest of us.
I struggle with condemnation all day long every day! Thanks for the clarification. It helps to help clear the mind of the condemning thoughts. Have a great day.
In my fear to let go of some things I have thought God wanted me to do, I tend to shut down…find a way to feel guilty…and my entire day is gone! I find myself being more critical of everything around me rather than trying to snap out of it. I appreciate the kitchen scene honesty! I can lose it in a flash and in my own head, satan will have me being the winner of the worst mom ever award. I have truly never thought about the difference in conviction and condemnation- but clearly I am confusing the two pretty well. I want to look for solutions the Holy Spirit is giving me in order to fix my feelings of guilt. Id love to read your advice in this book!
I recently went through a very embarrassing situation at work. I was at fault so I went into “rehab” with the Lord and just asked and thanked Him for His Grace and Mercies throughout this situation. I know I have been forgiven and he wants me to move on but each day is such a struggle to forget the shame, guilt and the replays of what has happened. At times I feel so persecuted not by anyone but by my thoughts, dreams and heavy with condemnation. This devotion really reminded me of the difference between condemnation and conviction. I will continue to try and fight these feelings as I continue to hold on to His promises for me and His unchanging hands.
As many, I too feel so inadequate of being the mom, wife and christian that the world says (expects) we as God’s children should be…… perfect. Thanks for t the simple reminder that we are not perfect and that’s ok. It came in God’s perfect timing. I am thankful for Proverbs 31 and your ministry. Blessings!
This devotional was truly a blessing. This is something I’ve struggled with, especially as a mom and a wife. I have never thought about the difference of conviction and condemnation but it definitely puts things into perspective for me. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I would love to win a copy of your book and thank you for the opportunity.
This is something I have dealt with all my life and I would love to win the resources.
After I finished the devotion and blog, I really was sown that I’ve allowed condemning lies into mind and heart.
I was able to specifically pray for a certain area in my life and ask forgiveness where needed and help where I’m struggling. Thank you so much for allowing God’s truth to shine through your words today. I never thought poo f things as you wrote but I’ve been allowing condemnation into my mind. With God’s help Satan’s lies will go and HIS truth and love will be in my heart and mind instead. I also will strive to be more in God’s predecessor that I can know the Holy Spirits voice more fully and not fall back into condemning myself and the things I do and say. Thank you for the chanceed to win and for the email with more insights. Blessings to you and those at P31 who share God’s truth!