We often struggle to properly think about conviction. Are we just supposed to feel bad about sin? Is conviction and condemnation the same thing?

I was reading my bible this morning, 1st Samuel chapter 7, and I came across something that helped me think about conviction in a new way. Godly conviction of sin has a sweetness to it because it leads us back to God.

And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the people of Israel put away the Baals and the Ashtaroth, and they served the Lord only.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Sa 7:3–4.

Helpful Context

The context of this verse is that the Ark of The Covenant was lost by Israel a few chapters earlier. Partly because of their idol worship, partly because of their arrogance. They were using the power of the Ark of the Covenant to win battles, trying to use God for their own means.

Fast forward to chapter 7 and the Ark is being returned to Israel. It is in this context Samuel tells all of Israel: “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods… and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only.”

Confusing Conviction with condemnation

Have you ever experienced conviction? Personally, I feel like my experience has me encounter three types of conviction.

A deep awareness of my sin and God’s disapproving judgement on it that leads me to sadness and frustration and to self hatred. This type of conviction can easily lead me away from God in my heart, making me feel as if I must work to earn my place with Him again. I look more at myself and sin than God and the cross. Shame wells up.
A deep awareness of my sin and God’s holiness. I sense how different we are and this leads to a holy reverence of how sinful I truly am. This is not a pleasant experience, but it feels needed. It doesn’t lead me away from Him necessarily, but I sense God’s holiness and it is deeply convicting.
A deep awareness of my sin and God’s holiness, but there is a sweetness to it. I can sense God saying “there is a better way than the one you have been walking in, lay your sin down and follow me for I am worthy”. This type of conviction makes obedience seem sweet and good.

As I’ve read the scriptures coming up on 20ish years now, I believe the type 1 conviction is more a mix of my own self and Satan than God. Primarily because it leads away from God. It seems from the Bible, that God usually operates with type 2 and 3 conviction. Sometimes we need a more tender approach (type 3), sometimes we need a more stern approach from God (type 2). Although conviction is never pleasant, it is producing something good within us.

You can see it in the text in 1st Samuel 7: “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods… and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only.”

Where does conviction lead?

What is the ending point of the conviction that comes from God? Returning to the Lord. You will know it is conviction from God when it leads you back to Him. You will know it is condemnation from satan when it leads you away from God. Remember, Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1.

God convicts us because He wants better for us than self-destructive sins and darkness and distortions of living that do not lead to flourishing. There’s one reason we should leave our sins: God is better. Because fellowship with him is more sweet to us than the pleasures of sin.‌

Healthy conviction always leads us back to God, regardless of if it is more tender or more stern type. We need both at different moments. It is a grace within itself that God convicts, because leading us back to Himself is the truest form of love. This is why godly conviction has a sweetness to it. Because it leads us back to the one who loves us and will transform us day after day.

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Thankful for sweet conviction,

Josh.

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