The simple answer is that God convicts but our conscience condemns. By defining both these terms we can gain a greater understanding. To convict, means “to impress with a sense of guilt, to convince of error or sinfulness” but in contrast, to condemn is, “to express judgment or strong disapproval, with impending judgment after sentencing.”
Few Christians realize it’s their own conscience that condemns them most of the time. Our conscience which is part of the soul (mind, will and emotions) was negatively impacted by the fall of man. Unfortunately, Satan has a habit of jumping on the bandwagon, making things a whole lot worse for us, if condemnation is left unchecked. This is why we must guard our mind and remain in fellowship with God, even if we slip up from time to time. Consider 1st John 3:21 in the Amplified Version, “And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God.”
Keep a clear conscience
It’s our conscience which condemns us when we fail morally, and as a result, we lose confidence toward God. I want you to know that because the sin issue has been dealt with by our ‘once and for all sacrifice,‘ Jesus Christ (Heb 10:1-14), God is not condemning you! If you’ve messed up and you feel knocked down, God is ready to pick you up off the mat. Your conscience will often tell you, ‘You’re not ‘worthy’’ to get up as you’ve let God down, but this is a lie! We are made righteous by the blood of Christ, not by what we ‘do’ or ‘don’t do.’ Satan is the one trying to knock saints down, getting them to yield to temptation and stay down. God wants you up off the mat as soon as possible!
A believer who fully comprehends God’s love will never be defeated! God always wants you to get up off the mat, no matter how many times you’ve been knocked down. We often feel condemned, when we stumble by ‘walking after the flesh,’ (Rom 8:1). This is easily remedied by getting right with God at the first opportunity. But if we’re not careful Satan can take advantage of us by piling on even more guilt. It can become a cycle that’s hard to get out of. We must discern ‘why’ we feel the way we do, ‘who’ is speaking to us, and the ‘tone’ used. Discerning the still small voice of God is crucial to your success as a Christian and with practice, you will be able to discern His voice all the more.
Learn to discern the ‘tone’
God’s Word convicts us of our sinful ways and leads sinners to repentance. We feel convicted for the wrong we’ve done, realizing we need to change our ways, in accordance with scripture. This is called ‘godly sorrow’ which leads to repentance (2 Cor 7:10).
However, Satan’s tone in sharp contrast, condemns us to the point of despair, offering no solution for our condition, other than futile religious works to appease our guilt. His nature is accusatory. In fact Satan, means ‘accuser.’
The Holy Spirit is constantly working in the earth to bring people to the point of conviction in order to get them saved. This conviction leads to repentance only if the sinner humbly acknowledges his sinful condition. God forces no one into His kingdom; we must all enter willingly. Let’s look at John 16:7-11 (AMP):
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; It is expedient (beneficial) for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me.“
John 16:7-11 (Amplified Version)
The Holy Spirit’s job is to ‘reprove’ the world of sin because Christ died for the world (John 3:16). Now that Jesus has completed His task of redemption and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Heb 7:25), the Holy Spirit interacts with humanity to reprove man of sinfulness and point him toward Christ.
Indeed, there is only one sin that sends us to Hell and that is the sin of unbelief. It’s the sin of not believing upon the Son of God (John 3:18) which leads to eternal damnation.
Holy Spirit has many roles
In addition to conviction, Holy Spirit has many other roles. His nature is multi-faceted. In the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever” Jn 14:26-27 (AMP). The loving, all powerful, all seeing and all-knowing Holy Spirit is the comforter who convicts the sinner, yet He also convicts Christians, if they’ve willfully sinned. He is an ever-present helper who abides with us, strengthening, encouraging and interceding for us along life’s journey. His main aim is for us to be conformed to the image of Christ which is a lifetime pursuit.
Are you on the same side as ‘the accuser’?
Let us now review the Hebrew and Greek words for Satan. The Hebrew word שָׂטָן (satan) means to ‘oppose, obstruct, or accuse.’ The Greek term (σατάν, satan) literally means “adversary.” He brings railing accusations against the saints of God, day and night before the throne (Job 1). Evil and perverse by nature, Satan is not ‘all powerful,’ ‘all seeing’ or ‘all-knowing’ as some claim. He’s merely a fallen angel (cherub) and limited in his capacity on this earth.
If you’re in the habit of accusing people, you’re doing the devil’s work because slander is his job description! He needs co-operation from humanity to wreak havoc as man was originally granted dominion and authority in the earth by God. Any authority Satan possesses today has been stolen off the back of man, as Satan has no intrinsic authority. He relies on ignorance and deception as his two greatest weapons. To those in Christ, he’s a defeated foe, posing as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). In truth, Jesus has already knocked his teeth out! But Satan is only ‘whipped’ for those who know their authority in Christ…do you? It’s your responsibility to find out the full extent of your godly inheritance and the Epistles reveal this. (Click here to find out more).
The easiest way to discern whether Holy Spirit or Satan is trying to influence you is to ask, ‘how’ it’s being said. Compare what you hear with scripture. Holy Spirit will use words to build you up, encourage, comfort and strengthen you. He will speak like a gentleman. Don’t get me wrong, God will rebuke or convict in a loving manner, but He won’t use an accusatory tone or a sarcastic snip. He is truthful, patient, kind and caring. God never contradicts His own word otherwise He’d be a hypocrite.
Know how the enemy speaks to you
Satan and his demonic cohorts will use phrases like, “you shouldn’t have done that”, “you’ll never get out of this”, “no-one likes you”, “why don’t you just quit this life” etc. His tone is condemning to say the least. Or if that’s not working, he might switch gears on you by stating his accusations in the first person. For example, you might hear yourself saying, “I can’t believe I did that“, “I am so stupid”, “I’ll never be able to pay the rent”, “I never seem to keep friends”, “I can’t succeed at anything” etc. His conversation is a direct expression of his identity as the ‘father of lies’ (Jn 8:44). Satan is a usurper whose agenda is to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10).
Jesus came to bring abundant life and plays no part in condemning people.
Be careful what you hear and take to heart (Mk 4:24).
If you ignore the “you’s”, Satan may start changing his tactics and move on to the “I’s”. The question is, will you cooperate with him and agree with his lies or not? If you do, oppression will take a foothold because Satan seeks agreement to gain influence in your life. Demonic oppression starts with a foothold and ends with a stronghold. Satan can do nothing without your cooperation. So stop cooperating!
A stronghold is equivalent to the culmination of many footholds which have been acquired without resistance. It’s imperative that you delineate between the still small voice of conviction and the accusatory tone which condemns. The former is from God, the latter is from Satan.
I recommend you speak God’s word over your life and remind yourself often of the bountiful inheritance Christ bestowed to you. Be mindful of conviction but tell the condemner to take a hike! Now is the time for God to do mighty things in your life and you must now choose to break agreement with Satan’s lies by meditating on God’s word!
Have you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, click here to find out more…
Author- Carl G.M. Joseph
Bibliography:
David Seal, “Satan,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).
https://www.greatbiblestudy.com/the-christian-life/condemnation-versus-conviction/
Title: What’s the difference between Conviction and Condemnation?
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Six Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the difference between conviction and condemnation?
Answer: Conviction refers to the Holy Spirit’s work in making us aware of our sin, leading us to repentance and a desire to change. It is meant to lead to transformation and healing. Condemnation, on the other hand, is a judgment or disapproval that comes with the feeling of impending punishment, often without hope or a solution. While conviction is redemptive, condemnation is a tool used by Satan to bring despair and prevent reconciliation with God.
2. How does our conscience impact us in relation to conviction and condemnation?
Answer: Our conscience is part of our soul (mind, will, and emotions) and is deeply affected by the fall of man. It plays a significant role in condemnation when we fail morally, making us feel unworthy and distant from God. However, God does not condemn us—our conscience does. Conviction, by the Holy Spirit, brings awareness of sin but always offers a path toward repentance and restoration with God.
3. What role does Satan play in condemnation?
Answer: Satan’s role is to accuse, condemn, and instill feelings of guilt and shame. His ultimate goal is to keep us in despair and distance us from God’s love and forgiveness. Unlike conviction, which draws us closer to God, Satan’s condemnation leads to hopelessness, trying to make us feel unworthy and powerless. He uses accusation, either through external voices or our own thoughts, to reinforce this negative cycle.
4. How can I differentiate between God’s conviction and Satan’s condemnation?
Answer: The key difference lies in the tone and purpose. God’s conviction is loving, gentle, and aimed at bringing about change in alignment with His will. It encourages us to turn to Him, repent, and be restored. Satan’s condemnation, however, is harsh, accusatory, and often brings despair without offering a solution. If the message leaves you feeling defeated or worthless, it’s more likely from the enemy than from God.
5. What can I do when I feel condemned?
Answer: When you feel condemned, remember that God does not condemn you—Satan does. Jesus has already dealt with the sin issue through His sacrifice, and you are made righteous by His blood. If you’ve stumbled, don’t let condemnation keep you down. Acknowledge your mistake, repent, and receive God’s forgiveness. Also, remind yourself of the truth in Scripture, which assures you that you are forgiven, loved, and accepted by God despite your failures.
6. How can I guard myself from falling into cycles of condemnation?
Answer: To guard against cycles of condemnation, it’s important to discern the voice speaking to you. Keep a close relationship with God, spend time in His Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into truth. Practice renewing your mind and speaking God’s promises over your life. Reject Satan’s lies and accusations, and focus on the truth of your identity in Christ. Stay in fellowship with God, remembering that conviction leads to repentance, while condemnation seeks to bring you down.
