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!
ENTER to WIN
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
FREE Download of God’s Promises
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.
Want a daily devotional that’s easy to read, easy to share with a friend and filled with wisdom to get your heart grounded in God’s truth and grace? The “Confident Heart 60-Day Devotional” is all that and more! Click here to ORDER a copy for yourself or a friend today!
Discover more from Renee Swope
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Thank you for this posting. I had just been praying about how I could talk to my son about correcting a mistake made, without being judgmental and accusatory. I have a hard time dealing with knowing how to teach my son the difference between right and wrong without accusation and stress. I read today in that Jesus spoke with gentleness and kindness to the Samaritan woman at the well and that she found acceptance not judgment in his words and actions. Those words together with your words about conviction not condemnation were a well timed blessings for me. Thank you!
I am a first time mom struggling with the confidence that I’m even doing anything right. I want to raise my son to fully trust in and walk with the Lord, but I need to be confident in myself and my own walk first. I’ve always been one to put myself down and kick myself down further when I don’t live up to my own expectations of myself. This is one of those habits/traits that I don’t want my son to inherit from me. I want to rid it from my life before he is old enough to pick it up from me.
I struggle to know wether it is conviction or condemnation I often wonder if I am failing God or am I on the right path. It helps to read your devotional because I am starting to understand what to listen to and what not to listen to thank you
I need this more than I thought…and God made certain it was on my computer screen to know it!
Before rededicating my life to Christ, I had done quite a few things to my family and children. As I grow closer and closer to Christ, memories of the things I’ve done, esp that affected my children, haunt me. At times I think the way they behave is payback for how I treated them (even though they’re too young to remember). I hate hainng these thoughts. I know they are from satan but I still feel so guilty.
wow that little thing … that one little thing…. “God’s conviction is specific and won’t condemn us for who we are, but focuses on something we’ve done.” that negative voice inside my head always seems to start with “I am so…” or “I am such…” to know that’s the enemy is so eyeopening now… I know now that maybe my action or my deed is what is to change, not me 🙂 how freeing!
God truly has His hand on you and your ministry Renee! I’m struggling so much right now trying to be a mom, wife, homemaker, teacher, and stay out of the lane where I constantly feel I am failing at everything I am so desperately trying to do for my family and for The Lord .
My husband has been diagnosed with a migraine disorder that keeps him from being able to work. We’ve lost his income. We are lucky to get 10 good days with him in a month. We are a blended family of 5 kids ages 5,6,7,8 & 11. I teach all year and now am working to keep food on the table and the lights on. The house is in shambles, my kids need me and I cannot be there, my husband is so depressed for not being able to provide for us and not being able to get well (they can’t find the cause or a cure or even a treatment that effectively works). We have lost our vehicles, etc etc etc. thankful for our home and electricity and full bellies- and yet, my constant partner is the still small voice – who am I kidding? The raging screaming accuser that has me in constant turmoil that its never going to be enough. That I am never going to be enough.
I would order the book YESTERDAY!!! But there isn’t money for extras like this. I know I sound like a sob story and I feel embarrassed to have to admit where I am emotionally and physically as a wife and mom- and even more as a daughter of the King who feels unworthy. To have your book would mean so much.
Thank you for reading my novel. Even if the book doesn’t happen I feel better having been able to (sort of) anonymously write down how I am feeling and know I am not alone. Thank you so much for being willing to let God use you.
Numbers 6:23-24
I am a teenage single mom who is very involved at church. I am a youth leader and am a part of praise and worship team. I am also involved in several organizations in and out of school. I am very personable and friendly. I like to hang out with friends and listen to stories. I am also a family girl. I love and value my family deeply. With all these roles I play in my life, I find myself struggling with balancing my time. I get overwhelmed with everything that’s happening around me and ends up not being effective at anything at all. I would feel guilty every time because I feel like what I’m doing is not enough and ends up not doing anything at all. My confidence go lower and lower every day and I’m starting to settle for less. I’m starting to feel that I am not enough for anything (to have a partner, to be a role model for my child, to be a friend, a leader, and a daughter). It’s my passion to serve God but my weaknesses are hindering me from doing so. I think A confident Heart devotional will help me get back on track, of course with prayers tied to it.
Devotion really hit home this morning! Thank you!
I so needed this, this week! I’m going to print a copy to place in my Bible as a reminder for me.
I had a break at work today, so I decided to have a quick little quiet time. I was reading this devotion on the Proverbs 31 ministries today and all I can say is “wow!” Right on time!
I’ve recently been reinstated as the Sunday School teacher in my church. Well for some reason or another i was really tired when I got home from work yesterday. Cooked my lunch for the next few days, kind of straightened up my bedroom. Then I got all of my study materials out for this coming Sunday’s lesson so that I can study. Laid out all of my materials on the bed. All of a sudden I was getting really sleepy. So sleepy that I pushed my materials off of the bed and went to sleep.
Woke up this morning and I felt condemnation staring me in the face. I can’t do anything right. I failed God…this and that. It was so bad to the point where i almost skipped praying. But I prayed anyway. And I was honest with God. He was telling me Nadia stop trying to do stuff apart from me. I am the Vine and you are the branch, and apart from Me you can do nothing. He said other things too. Tears streaming down my face all I could do was say I love you, which shocked me lol. I wrote in my journal and that was that.
Point is, God is teaching me to walk in His grace and His love. Next time I will ask for wisdom when it comes to my study time. It’s not that I’m so busy, it’s just that I procrastinate a lot. But I realize that diligence is not my strong trait, and I have to ask Him for help in this area, which is okay. 🙂
This couldn’t come at a better time for me. Lately I have repeated thoughts of how worthless I am. These thoughts bring on depression and hopelessness. The cycle once started seems unending and just keeps repeating. Over and over I hear the same message in my head….you are worthless, you’re a failure. Thank you for taking the time to reveal Gods truth.
Thank you so much for sharing your heart so openly and honestly!! I am a leader at Celebrate Recovery for the Mixed Issues group and I love to share your daily devotionals with my ladies. Your stories are always exactly what we need to hear. Thank you again!!!
Thank you for sharing about the difference between condemnation and conviction. I needed to hear that!
Nice to recognize one is rooted in guilt and one in love. Loved the comparison in condemnation and conviction! I now have a tool in my belt to help! Blessings!
Thank you for your devotion today, totally hit home for me. I can’t tell you the times I have obsessed over my guilt or regret and what a waste of time. I feel empowered to ask myself some key questions to determine if the Holy Spirit is working on me or if Satan knows how to waste my time. Thank you!
Thank you for opening my eyes to the difference between condemnation and conviction. We shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves, but, rather, more forgiving; striving to be more like Jesus.
Ps 85:10 “Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have k8ssed each other!. I am so thankful for God’s grace and mercies towards me when I fail. His gentlenes makes me great inspite of my failures. He knows my human frame and there is therefore, now no condemnation in Him. Thank you for your devotuons. They are beautiful.
I’d appreciate prayer. Satan surely has a well designed tool box that he craftily reaches into to thwart my peace and/or productivity. I think it includes a stun gun. Eventually, I am able to come out of the stupor and regain my spiritual footing, and I am SO grateful to you and other Christians that God has put in my path that help me regain that footing by speaking truth in the midst of the madness around us! Onward and upward!
A few key verses to memorize and guide me through repentence in these times, then remind myself of God’s grace in forgiveness would be the best help for me. Thank you for sharing and helping us all in this area.