July 15th

JULY 15th

Now before we go further down this road let’s revisit conviction versus condemnation. If you felt conviction the last few days about being all about yourself that’s good but remember conviction brings positive results. Condemnation is from the enemy, conviction is from the Holy Spirit. Conviction is the Holy Spirit telling us, “no-no, there’s a better way.” Condemnation is the enemy planting lies in our heads, like that you are no good, will never get it right, aren’t worth anything etc. He may even make you defensive and point you in the direction of thinking, “Who does she think she is to tell me that, she’s no better than I am, she is just trying to be judgy…etc.” If that is the case let me reassure you that I am no better than you and these devotions are written for me and our house just as much as they are for you.

The reason it is important though to talk about conviction versus condemnation is that condemnation stalls us out or drives us further from the Lord. Conviction is meant to bring us closer to Him. There is no place for condemnation in your life as a follower of Christ.

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

It will never be God’s goal to drive you away from Him. So if you are feeling far from Him there are a few things to examine and it all traces back to the enemy.

Are you harboring unforgiveness? Are you continuing in unconfessed sin? Are you harboring idols in your heart? Those things can keep you from feeling close to the Lord.

Idols in our heart, easy to do and hard to recognize. Our first instinct is to deny having idols but it is likely that we actually do. Ask the Lord to show you what your idols are…as we discussed in the devotions so far this week, self-centeredness is a real problem in our culture. We may be our own idol, our appearance, our comfort, our things, music, video games/social media, money, or even relationships can be our idols. What is most of our time, money or effort spent doing? The answer to that question usually points toward our idols.

Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them.

Ok, conviction not condemnation, remember?

If you want to see God at work in your life then start asking Him to show you what might be interfering and ask Him how to walk in His way. The Holy Spirit is there to give you what you need to battle through this life.

Romans chapter 7 talks about how we struggle with our sinful nature and Romans chapter 8 answers that with the promises we have if we are in the Spirit, if we are followers instead of just believers. More on that tomorrow. In the meantime remember that God isn’t mad at you, He is mad about you (crazy about you) and His conviction is intended to bring repentance which leads you closer to Him.

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

The enemy wants to push you away from God and toward death. That is how you interpret what you are feeling about yourself/sin. Think about it from that perspective and you will know who is speaking into your head/heart. Are you going to listen to your enemy or your Savior?

Jesus, thank you for loving me enough not to leave me the way I am. Thank you for providing not just salvation but also a way to be transformed. Thank you for designing even my physical brain to be able to change and be transformed. Thank you for convicting instead of condemning me. Help me to see the areas in my life that I harbor as idols and help me to surrender those things to you. Thank you for your amazing love Lord, help me to bury myself in that.