How the Conviction of the Holy Spirit Draws Us Closer to Jesus

The most unique and awesome gifts God gives us in Christian recovery and in the Christian life, is the POWER of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we come to Christ, the Holy Spirit becomes our POWER, our comfort, our guide, our teacher, and our strength. He becomes the ‘fuel’ that empowers us. He convicts us of sin, not to condemn us, but to transform us into who Jesus purposed us to be. It’s through HIS Holy Spirit that we draw closer to Jesus and into a life of righteousness and peace.

While I have made this clear, step by step, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is a profoundly and deeply rooted Spiritual encounter that you must feel deep in your soul. It’s not a map that you follow, it’s Jesus you follow.

Conviction Is Not Condemnation

It is important to distinguish between conviction and condemnation. Condemnation comes from the enemy, Satan, who seeks to fill us with shame and despair. Revelation 12:10 says, “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Conviction, however, is the loving work of the Holy Spirit, gently but firmly showing us where we have gone wrong and pointing us back to Jesus. Romans 8:1 reminds us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The Loving Voice of the Holy Spirit

Jesus promised His followers that the Holy Spirit would come to guide them into all truth. In John 16:8, Jesus says, “And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.” Conviction is God’s way of calling us back when we have wandered off the straight and narrow path. Just as a shepherd temporarily trusts the 99 to keep walking together while he runs to get the 1 lost sheep, the Holy Spirit lovingly runs after us to return us to our Shepherd, Jesus. We either hear Him or we don’t.

Conviction Leads to Repentance

True conviction leads to godly sorrow, which produces repentance. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” This sorrow is not about wallowing in guilt but rather a heartfelt turning away from sin and turning toward God. In the Biblical Hebrew, this is called ‘Teshuvah’ – a 180-degree turn from sin to righteousness.

A Heart Transformation

When we choose to respond to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we experience a change of heart. Ezekiel 36:26 speaks of God’s transformation: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This change draws us closer to Jesus, as we become more like Him in character and love. If it’s real in us, we WANT to choose righteous living.

The Gift of Freedom

One of the most freeing aspects of responding to the Holy Spirit’s conviction is the realization that we don’t have to stay enslaved to sin. Jesus said in John 8:36, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Conviction breaks the chains of addiction, destructive habits, and sinful patterns, offering us true freedom in Christ.

Walking in the Light

The conviction of the Holy Spirit calls us to walk in the light. 1 John 1:7 says, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.” Walking in the light means living transparently before God and others, allowing His truth to lead us in all things and all ways.

Closer Fellowship with Jesus

The more we respond to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, the closer we grow to Jesus. We learn to hear His voice more clearly and follow Him more faithfully. Jesus desires an intimate relationship with us, and the Holy Spirit’s corrections, as long as we see them as corrections, help us stay in alignment with His will.

A Daily Dependence

Conviction is not a one-time experience but a moment by moment process. As we remain open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, we become more sensitive to His nudges. This daily dependence strengthens our relationship with Jesus and keeps us on the path of righteousness. It also makes life so much simpler because we know what to do.

Hope for Those of You in Recovery

For those in addiction recovery, the conviction of the Holy Spirit is a powerful tool for transformation into that ‘new creation‘ God intends for you. It keeps us vigilant against the temptations of the past and guides us into the new life God has prepared. Philippians 1:6 assures us, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Responding with Obedience

The key to benefiting from the conviction of the Holy Spirit is obedience. James 1:22 urges us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” When we respond with obedience, we experience the fullness of God’s blessings and draw ever closer to Jesus.

A Call to Surrender

Let us be thankful for the conviction of the Holy Spirit, for it is a sign of God’s deep love for us. May we surrender moment by moment to His leading, knowing that every step of obedience brings us closer to Jesus and the abundant life here on earth and then the unbelievable eternity He has prepared for us. He has promised. As we walk in His light, we will find true freedom, joy, and peace in His presence.

Have a blessed rest of your day! Ask the Lord to flood you with His Holy Spirit and to fuel each and every move, thought, and desire you have. Hope to see you next post. Bye for now!