Christians are not of the world, nor are we those who do not believe in Jesus Christ. Which is the sin that according to scripture the Holy Spirit convicts the world of.
"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me" John 16:8-9
Many followers of Joseph Prince and the “Hyper grace” movement say the Holy Spirit does not
reprove or
convict them of
sin. But is this notion based on scripture? I will show by scripture how this teaching is
false, and is also very dangerous because it can cause people to harden their hearts to the
conviction of the Holy Spirit, the law and commandments, and also the words of God spoken by Jesus, which are Spirit.
First let’s look at a verse in question, which many say is not directed to them being believers, but only to unbelievers who are of the world. Clearly Jesus is talking to his disciples in John 16:8, who were to
receive the Holy Spirit, who would in turn
reprove the world of sin by their preaching Jesus’ words. We know the Holy Spirit is not given to
unbelievers because Jesus said the world
cannot receive the Spirit of Truth in
John 14:17 “Even the Spirit of truth; whom
the world cannot receive, because
it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth
with you, and shall be
in you.”
So in fact the Holy Spirit is sent to
dwell in believers, and by Him the world is
reproved of sin. But does the Holy Spirit reprove
believers of sin? Well let’s first look at the word
reprove in
John 16:8….
And [SUP]
G2532[/SUP] when he is come, [SUP]
G2064[/SUP] he [SUP]
G1565[/SUP] will
reprove [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] the world [SUP]
G2889[/SUP] of [SUP]
G4012[/SUP]
sin, [SUP]
G266[/SUP] and [SUP]
G2532[/SUP] of [SUP]
G4012[/SUP] righteousness, [SUP]
G1343[/SUP] and [SUP]
G2532[/SUP] of [SUP]
G4012[/SUP] judgment: [SUP]
G2920[/SUP]
The KJV translates Strongs G1651 in the following manner: reprove (6x),
rebuke (5x),
convince (4x),
tell (one's) fault (1x),
convict (1x).
Bible usage also shows….by
conviction to bring to the light, to
expose.
The above words “to bring to light” is interesting because God’s Living Word Jesus Christ is also known as
the Light of the world. But let’s first look at a few more verses where this word
reprove G1651 is used.
Reproving a brother of sin…
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and
tell [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] him
his fault [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” (Mat 18:15)
John
reproves Herod of sin by the Spirit….
“But Herod the tetrarch, being
reproved [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] by him for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done,” (Luke 3:9)
The Light of Gods words
reprove a dark world…
“For every one that doeth evil
hateth the light, neither cometh
to the light, lest his deeds should be
reproved. [SUP]
G1651[/SUP]” (John 3:20)
Being
convicted in their conscience after hearing God’s words, which are light…
“And they which heard
it, being
convicted [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] by
their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest,
even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.”(John 8:9)
Reproving the darkness…
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather
reprove [SUP]
G1651[/SUP]
them.” (Eph 5:11)
“But all things that are
reproved [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] are made
manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest
is light.” (Eph 5:13)
“Them that sin
rebuke [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] before all, that others also may fear.” (1 Tim. 5:20)
“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season;
reprove, [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Tim 4:2)
“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to
convince [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] the gainsayers.” (Tit 1:9)
“This witness is true. Wherefore
rebuke [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;” (Tit 1:13)
“These things speak, and exhort, and
rebuke [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” (Tit 2:15)
The law also
reproves….
“But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are
convinced [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] of the law as transgressors.” (Jas 2:9)
And the Lord also
reproves believers ……
“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art
rebuked [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] of him:” (Heb 12:5)
“As many as I love, I
rebuke [SUP]
G1651[/SUP] and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Rev. 3:9)
Now going back to this concept of how
the Light reproves the
darkness =
sinful behavior
God is
Light …..
1 John 1:5 God’s Word is
Light….
John 8:12
God’s laws and commandments are
light….
Proverbs 6:23
Jesus disciples who have Christ in them are
light….
Matthew 5:14
And the gospel message is also
light….
2 Corinthians 4:4
By the above things that are
Light, these all will
reprove the world, either believers or unbelievers of its
darkness. And if any man speaks evil of the Light, or speaks contrary to and even opposes the Light of the Truth, he is still in
darkness. Beware of those who speak contrary to the Light, and do not believe the Light is given to
reprove (G1651) the
darkness that is
in them and
in the world.