Conviction vs Condemnation
I’m hearing from so many people who have remained trapped in their past sin. They've come to the Lord, repented and surrendered their lives to Him but guilt and condemnation keeps them bound to shame and it has paralyzed their growth. Some even believe that it's God who is condemning them and making them suffer for the things they have already repented of. That's a lie the enemy uses to separate you from God. You see, the Lord brings conviction that leads to repentance and draws us unto Him. He says He does this for HIS sake!! He loves you and wants you close! When you've repented He no longer sees the sin but the crimson red blood of Jesus that purifies us, makes us holy and restores us into right standing with God. In contrast the enemy's tactic is to continually beat you up for the sin and mistakes you've made until you either run in shame or stay medicated to shut off the condemning voices in your head.
Jesus didn't die on the cross in vain. He paid the price for our sins and He took the guilt and condemnation so that we could be free! This isn't an excuse to continue sinning, but as you receive His forgiveness and love and begin seeking Him with all of your heart, you will find your desire to please Him increase and the destructive ones decrease. Don't hide in shame, get real with Him, repent and move forward! He's forgotten it, shouldn't you?
Isaiah 43:25 (TLB) I, yes, I alone am He who blots away your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again.
Hebrews 8:12 (NKJV) For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”
Micah 7:18-19 (NIV) Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance?You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us;you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
1 John 2:12 (ESV) I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His name’s sake.
