The Holy Spirit and Conviction of Sin

[tsth]

I was just reading some of the OSAS threads and the "Can you live sinless" threads, and I was reminded of this question.

Doesn't it all come down to the doubt that sin causes within us? Doesn't sin do terrible damage to us as Christians? It brings the doubt of our salvation. Period. So I wonder, when/if we sin, rather than trying to define whether or not we are saved, shouldn't the question be, "Are we convicted when we sin"? Does the Holy Spirit serve that purpose in you?

I have wondered on occasion, when I've heard people in the Christian community say this in regard to the doubt of our salvation, "Oh, that's just the devil trying to throw you off track". "You shouldn't doubt your salvation"! "You know, the devil is the accuser"!

I have begun to wonder if maybe Christians have forsaken the work of the Holy Spirit by the above comments? What if the Holy Spirit were at work convicting a person of a particular sin that the Lord is trying to deal with them on? And therefore bringing about doubt of salvation. I immediately see the dialogue of the OSAS coming into play, in terms of a person being dealt with over sin, and the doubt that is brought into play over salvation, when that person is in an ongoing battle over sin. You know, we have misconstrued the context of Scripture concerning the "accuser". Here's what it really says:

Rev. 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.

The accuser goes before God and accuses, not to us personally. It could be that what you are hearing, is the Holy Spirit dealing with you on sin, and you do not want to hear of it?

Wouldn't it be better to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work, and wouldn't it be better yet, if when that happens, we might turn from our sin, rather than trying to justify with OSAS. How about if we just leave that alone, and be reconciled to God, over our sin, and not walk in it any longer? What if we just left that doctrine alone, and just addressed our sin that is bringing doubt in the first place??? Wouldn't that REALLY be the cruxt of the issue? If we're living in ongoing sin, that the Holy Spirit is dealing with us about, we'd better be listening and submitting to the Power of Christ to deliver us, and help us to overcome, so that we don't have to doubt our standing before Him. So don't let sin become your trouble and doubt, take hold of Christ and let Him be your Master, rather than sin.

John 14:25 "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

The Holy Spirit has a distinct purpose, don't forget what it is.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Don't confuse the work of the Holy Spirit and dismiss His call to you to repent of sin, and mar your confident standing before the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:34

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

2 Peter 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.

:il:

In His Love,

Suzanne

Edited May 24, 2004 by tsth

[tsth]

2 Peter 1

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

12 For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[Guest Called]

Wouldn't it be better to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work, and wouldn't it be better yet, if when that happens, we might turn from our sin, rather than trying to justify with OSAS.

I agree with you on this. I think that alot of times it isn't doubt about being saved, but the Holy Spirit convicting us. As we get closer and closer to God, we will hear the Holy Spirit's voice alot more. The Holy Spirit usually stops me before I sin, and I believe it is because I have learned to be sensitive to Him. I submit to Him everyday. It has taken alot of prayer and reading the word to get to this point, but God gives me grace. I love the Holy Spirit and He tells me I am a child of God.

I have wondered on occasion, when I've heard people in the Christian community say this in regard to the doubt of our salvation, "Oh, that's just the devil trying to throw you off track". "You shouldn't doubt your salvation"! "You know, the devil is the accuser"!

I think that Christians give the devil way to much credit. Christians need to take responsibility for their own actions and quit blaming the devil. We have a choice on whether to sin or not. Just don't do it. Christians need to quit being little weaklings, that say "well I just can't do it, blah blah blah" We have been given victory through Christ Jesus! Do what is right, quit riding the fence. The devil is a nothing! Sorry, I get carried away!

Debbie

[WISDOM]

Suzanne:

What a wonderful, wonderful, WONDERFUL message this is that the HOLY SPIRIT has placed on YOUR spiritual heart to pass on to us all!!!!

It is my hope and prayer that most of the brothers/sisters in the Body, who frequent these forums will be led to reading THIS thread.

THIS......is how one grows in the grace, knowledge, understanding, and image of our LORD/SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST......by hearing WHAT the SPIRIT speaks TO us ABOUT us!

Thank you for a simple, YET splendid posting!

[tsth]

Thank you very much Wisdom for your confirming words. I am currently undergoing the discomfort of the fire of refining, and this message and posting is a part of the refined gem that the Lord is bringing about. I give glory to God in the Highest, for even though I am tested, He is Glory and Righteous. He is proved True, and I will withstand the trouble, if it brings about His Glory.

In His Love,

Suzanne

[IslandRose]

Amen Suzanne!

I see another OSAS/OSNAS thread starting up (elsewhere on the board.) If born again children of God would just follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit to repent and turn away from their sins, I think that that particular argument would cease.

Too many times Christians try to justify their sin or find ways to distract themselves from conviction from the Holy Spirit instead of dealing with it in a Scriptural way.

Good Post!

:il:

Edited May 24, 2004 by IslandRose

[tsth]

Wouldn't it be better to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work, and wouldn't it be better yet, if when that happens, we might turn from our sin, rather than trying to justify with OSAS.

I agree with you on this. I think that alot of times it isn't doubt about being saved, but the Holy Spirit convicting us. As we get closer and closer to God, we will hear the Holy Spirit's voice alot more. The Holy Spirit usually stops me before I sin, and I believe it is because I have learned to be sensitive to Him. I submit to Him everyday. It has taken alot of prayer and reading the word to get to this point, but God gives me grace. I love the Holy Spirit and He tells me I am a child of God.

I have wondered on occasion, when I've heard people in the Christian community say this in regard to the doubt of our salvation, "Oh, that's just the devil trying to throw you off track". "You shouldn't doubt your salvation"! "You know, the devil is the accuser"!

I think that Christians give the devil way to much credit. Christians need to take responsibility for their own actions and quit blaming the devil. We have a choice on whether to sin or not. Just don't do it. Christians need to quit being little weaklings, that say "well I just can't do it, blah blah blah" We have been given victory through Christ Jesus! Do what is right, quit riding the fence. The devil is a nothing! Sorry, I get carried away!

Debbie

Yes, it is true, we forsake the Power of the Grace that Christ purchased for us. I stand on these verse (as I know JAKE/DIME, you do as well)............

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

We must understand what "GRACE" really accomplishes in us!

In His Love,

Suzanne

[tsth]

There is nothing in Rev. 12:10 which says that the devil tells people "they don't measure up to God's standard". That is the work of the HOLY SPIRIT. Jesus said: "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement" (John 16:8)

It's dangerous to attribute the work of God's Spirit to Satan (Mark 3:22-30) Does this not lead to the blaspheming the Holy Ghost, by attributing His work to the devil? It is virtually impossible to get people saved who habitually attribute conviction of sin to the devil. The preacher who gives a false assurance and teaches people that it is Satan who convicts them of sin, is actually helping the devil to damn souls.

The real situation is this: the Holy Spirit must strip the unconverted person of his pride and reveal to him that he is unsuitable and not able to measure up on his own, before God. Unless the Holy Spirit does that, the sinner will never be converted in the true biblical sense.

excerpted from "Today's Apostasy"

[traveller]

Great insight sis! Excellent post! It's so encouraging to see a post that actually has merit and a solution to the same ole question. As WISDOM said, this post is led of the Spirit! We must be very careful not to close our spiritual ears to the Holy Spirit.

[nebula]

Hey, Suzanne -

Good call!