CONVICTION
And being fully convinced that what
He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans 4:21
Dictionaries
usually define conviction as a fixed or strong belief. Conviction
is really much more than that. Your convictions include your values,
commitments, and motivations. I like the definition of conviction I once heard
from the great Bible teacher Howard Hendricks: “A belief is something you will
argue about. A conviction is something you will die for!” Our convictions
determine our conduct. They motivate us to act in certain ways.
When
you first become a Christian, you often do things simply because other
Christians around you suggest them or model them. You may pray, read the Bible
and attend services because you see the examples of others. This is fine for a
new Christian. Little children learn the same way. However, as you grow, you
must eventually develop your own reasons for doing what you do. These reasons come
through revelation and become convictions.
Conviction
helps us to be diligent in our spiritual growth. Growth requires time and
effort. Without convictions we become discouraged and give up. No one stays
with a difficult task unless he is convinced that there is a good reason for
doing it. A church can teach people how to pray, how to study the Bible, and
how to witness, but without imparting the corresponding convictions, people
will not stick with it.
Knowing
what to do (knowledge), why you do it (perspective) and how to do it (skill) is
all worthless if you don't have the conviction to motivate you to actually do
it! What are your convictions in your walk with the Lord?
Prayer: Ask the Lord to open your
eyes to His Kingdom principles and give you strong convictions to overcome all
the schemes of Satan.
Scriptural Reading: Romans 4:13-25
