Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)
As a teenager, I went through a period when I thought that I needed to focus on getting rid of all the sin in my life. Tears would stream down my cheeks as I sang songs that pleaded with God to search my heart and cleanse me from all of my wicked ways.
It all seemed very spiritual, but I found that I wasn’t getting closer to God. I mistook my sad feelings for Holy Spirit at work within me, convinced that He was continually showing me all my sin.
I became increasingly depressed… and began to have judgmental thoughts. I would walk by people having fun and think, “They ought to be praying.” Without realizing it, I was actually becoming more like a Pharisee and less like Jesus.
When I learned what Holy Spirit is really like, it changed my life.
I have to admit, when I first read Holy Spirit “will convict the world of sin,” I thought, ‘I knew it! Holy Spirit is pointing out all of my sins!’ (John 16:8, NKJV). But then I noticed that it says He convicts those who “do not believe” (John 16:9, NKJV). He just wants to convince the world that they need Jesus!
Holy Spirit is not judgmental like a Pharisee towards believers. He wants to reveal to you who you are in Christ and what has been given to you so you have peace, not live in a state of perpetual guilt. Do you believe it?