Conviction

Acts 9:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 It’s possible to be quite sincere and quite wrong. Saul thought he was zealously doing God's will. God convicted him; he knew it was God.

1 Chronicles 21:1,2,3,4,5,6 There wasn’t a righteous purpose for the census. God was angry and David suffered a penalty.

Conviction is the first step in walking in the Spirit. A spiritual walk continues with the ability to be present with conviction.

1 Chronicles 21:7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14 God sent correction by way of the prophet.

It’s one thing to be aware to something, but it’s another to be awake to it. God can convict me many different ways. What do I do with it? There is always a consequence to not responding to conviction.

1 Corinthians 15:34 There are three spiritual states: asleep, drowsy, or awake. It is difficult to hear or respond when asleep.

In the case of both Saul and David, when God spoke to them, they heard and responded immediately. I will know which state I’m in by how I respond.

Asleep will respond with an “I don’t care” attitude. Drowsy means “I really do care but not enough to do what’s right - I want to do what pleases me.” At times, God must tell drowsy, but sincere, people to wake up.

Conviction finds me in a place where I need to change. It may not be pleasant. I can choose to excuse, blame, cheat, or “face the music.” I must learn to calculate what I can do with and how to value conviction.