Accusation or Conviction?

← All sermons

Summary

Every Christian needs discernment to tell Satan's accusations from the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Both can produce feelings of guilt and unworthiness, yet they differ radically in origin, purpose, character and outcome, and confusing the two leads either to crushing despair or to a seared conscience.

Guilt is not first a medical condition. It is a spiritual reality that concerns our standing before God: a person who has broken His law is objectively guilty whether they feel it or not. No therapist can absolve that guilt, and telling yourself to forgive yourself is make-believe. Only God, who declares us guilty, can set us free from it, and He has done so through the atoning work of His Son.

Satan, the accuser of the brothers and the father of lies, uses temptation to draw believers away and accusation to torment them, aiming to make them stop praying and doubt their salvation. The Spirit convicts in order to lead us to repentance, which is God's gift, and to Christ. The final word belongs to Romans 8: if God is for us, who can be against us, and who shall bring any charge against God's elect?

Essential truths

  1. Accusation and conviction both produce guilt, but they differ in origin, purpose, character and outcome.
  2. Guilt is a spiritual reality about our standing before God, not just a feeling to be managed.
  3. Only God, who declares us guilty, can absolve us, through the blood of Christ.
  4. Satan accuses to destroy; the Holy Spirit convicts to bring us to repentance and to Christ.
  5. No charge can stand against God's elect, because Christ died, was raised and intercedes for us.

Encouragement and challenge

When guilt comes, ask where it is leading you. Reject the accusations that drive you away from God, stand on the finished work of Christ, and stay tender to the Spirit when He convicts you of real sin.

Reference verses

  • Revelation 12:10
  • John 8:44
  • John 10:10
  • John 16:8
  • John 16:13-14
  • Psalm 130:3
  • James 4:7
  • 1 Peter 5:9
  • Ephesians 4:30
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:19
  • Romans 8:31-34

About this sermon