conviction is greater than condemnation

The power of conviction

In my dream, I was in the "redlight district" of town. I saw prostitutes walking out from the front door of a building going upstairs with their "johns" to the building next door. I knew that I wanted to preach to them. Or should I say, go and start condemning them to hell because of their sins. Next in my dream, I was on a high balcony, trying to climb down. First I try it by using my hands, and then jumping to the ground, but the ground was too far down. I needed help to get back up on the balcony. I then try climbing down on a rope. When I finally got to the bottom, I was back in the "redlight district" of town getting ready to condemn, condemn, condemn! I thought that with my loud condemning voice, I thought that I could get these ungodly sinners to repent! But before I started, a brother in the Lord wanted to take me to dinner. He started to tell me about his preacher and how he started preaching with the spirit of conviction, instead of preaching condemnation. As this brother was speaking to me, I saw myself in the church that he was from, just listening to his pastor. As this pastor was speaking, I saw a greenish mist just shooting right out of him towards me. And instantly, I started bawling like a baby. I felt the conviction of God just hitting me in the gut. And I started to repent with Godly sorrow. By this dream, I believe that God was telling me that there is more power by the power of conviction, then what there was by trying to condemn the people out of their sins. Then I awaken from my dream.

PepperJack

And only the Holy Spirit can bring conviction. I've seen Him work more through intercessory prayer than any words we could speak. Man and his reasoning (even with the scriptures) cannot do this. Sometimes you will run into a brick wall. But the Holy Spirit goes right through that wall and reaches the heart, not the intellect.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. 8Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

There used to be a saying (and I believe it is true) that the Holy Spirit guides while satan drives.

(The spell checker wants me to capitalize 'satan' ...the checker must have been programmed by Gates)

Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

I was thinking about this scripture this week and I thought, it says Jesus didn't come to the world to condemn it then we are some of us (including myself) condemning the world?

It is so sad to me when people talk about any kind of conviction,and say this conviction is of the Lord.For the believer, there is not one chapter and verse any can give, yet they preach such??( rom 2:1-5) please look verse close at verse 4." Not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance???? Before I came to Christ Jesus I already was convicted,and that by the law I was under prior to what Jesus did for me,because i was a fool.

We are not fools any more!! For conviction causes one to dwell on the present,while love, with brotherly kindness leads us to the escape Jesus himself gave us through his own blood!( 1 cor 10:13) Hope and peace in believing, does not, or ever will lead them to being convicted.( rom 15:13) I believe good brother the reason you weep so was not for them,but rather for yourself,for if we ourselves have nothing to give but conviction,then where oh where are we in Christ Jesus? This is not a ding on you at all good brother,but rather a reminder that the truth of Jesus sets us free,while the conviction of the flesh keep one in bondage to the flesh.

The laws convicts the unbeliever, it brings the knowledge of sin.( rom 3:20) And in fact through the law it causes conviction to actually increase!( rom 5:20) The believer is however free from this conviction,because of what Jesus has already done to free both our minds and our hearts from conviction,rather being and always staying thankful for all HE has already done for us through his most precious blood!(1 thess 5:18 and 2 peter 1:3-11!!) I hope you will consider this good brother.

Thanks for your input Brighthouse. I can't help but wonder, are you confusing conviction with guilt/condemnation?
I say this because I believe that the two are totally separate things. Conviction is a realisation of wrong doing, for example if I say something to someone and they take offence to it or if I hurt them and see it, I first feel like i've done wrong towards them (this is conviction) and then i'm sorry for my wrong doing. Where condemnation precedes conviction and keeps the person in self loathing, feeling sorry for themselves for doing wrong, feeling unforgiven and without hope <--- I struggle with the latter a lot myself.
Do you agree?

Oh, we don't condemn the world we just condemn each other.

Hi brother Breno,Conviction is punishment for wrong doing. My brother got a D.U.I. and was convicted of the crime. Condemnation came as a result of that conviction. He felt terrible, not because of the offense, but rather because he was convicted for that offense. hehe The difference is being convinced,( rom 8:38-39)not convicted.