People of Conviction – Ps Nadia Clark
Conviction definition: A firmly held belief and trust in God.
A conviction is a belief that shapes our behaviour. It’s something we believe so strongly that it determines the way we act. While an opinion is something we discuss or even argue about, a conviction is something we’d die for – or better yet, live for!
Jesus, who made the greatest change in this world, lived with the deepest conviction. He lived with firm belief that God’s way was the best way.
Our world today says every value is up for negotiation. It says you can do whatever you want, with no moral absolutes.
But the truth is that if we don’t stand for something, we’ll fall for anything!
Today we need to be people of conviction who know what we believe.
Our own conviction is a product of our relationship with God. And the health and growth of our belief and trust in God comes through our understanding of God’s nature, our discernment of right and wrong, and our vision of His purpose – all these things are found in the His Word and are revealed to us by the power of the Holy Spirit.
SCRIPTURE
1 Thessalonians 1:5 Our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
People who live with deep conviction, know the truth of God’s Word. The bible helps us to know right from wrong. It helps us to recognise distraction and it helps us to recognise the subtle ways the enemy uses to try and get us off course. Things like offence, bitterness, unforgiveness and sin can clutter our lives to a point where we can’t see the truth of God clearly. We need to know God’s truth so well that when something comes along that doesn’t line up with God and His values, it is easily recognised and called out for what it is – lies, distraction & falsehood!
When the police are learning to distinguish real money from the counterfeit, they don’t study counterfeits, they spend their time studying real money. Then, when counterfeits come along, the police recognise that those counterfeits aren’t the real thing.
It’s the same way with the truth of God’s Word. We don’t have to know everything that’s false. We just need to know the truth of God’s Word. Then, when distraction, lies and falsehoods come along, we’ll see that they don’t line up. We have a personal responsibility to check and guard our heart from things that can rob us of our conviction REF Proverbs 4:23.
As we get to know God’s truth, we develop deep conviction, and we get a heart for God and His purpose. This changes how we live, and scripture tells us in REF Ephesians 3:10; that the result of our changed life is that others will see how we live – with Godly wisdom – and will want to get on board with that kind of life. And that is the ultimate purpose God has for us; to know Him, live His way and point others toward Him!
- How would you explain the difference between an opinion and conviction? What are some of your opinions? What are your convictions?
- How do you think the enemy tries to get us off course? How have you experienced this in your life? It could be through distraction, offense, sin, clutter etc.
- How has the Bible helped you develop a specific conviction you hold?
- Would others say that the way you live your life matches up with deep conviction? How does that look for you?
- People who change the world are people with conviction. Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you become a person of conviction who values the things he values.
Sundays Message
Listen to Sunday’s message: https://youtu.be/RSBKxgNgC_U
RESOURCE REF: NIV Bible, Bible Hub Definitions, Life message