I want to do what is good, but I don’t.
I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
Romans 7:19 {NLT}

I believe each of us walks a different path to our own personal truths. And I believe the Holy Spirit–our Friend, Advocate, Encourager, Comforter, and Counselor–leads us into those truths differently.

Easier said … what’s right for one person, could be wrong for another.

Outside of God’s commandments, the gray area if you will, I believe our individual “wrongs” are uniquely different. God has created us as unique individuals and we each respond uniquely to situations we are in and live out.

Our individual convictions are different based on the way we’ve been created.

An easy example might be a family who feels convicted to homeschool their children. The Holy Spirit is leading that family into their own personal truth. God has the master plan for that family and knows what path they need to take to get there. And so the Spirit nudges until they listen.

A more difficult example, is that of an addict or alcoholic … their truth is to stay far away from what they’re a slave to. One person is able to have a glass {or two} of wine or beer and it’s no problem at all. While another struggles with demons inside knowing it’s nothing they should be indulging in. But not everyone has this battle. The Spirit nudges each of us differently based on the way we’ve been created.

What’s important in all of this is that we listen to the nudging or conviction of our Guide. We need to stay keenly aware of the still small Voice leading us into our personal truth. Remember, that Voice is a Friend, Advocate, Encourager, Comforter, and Counselor. Equally important to remember is the other voice competing for our choices is the voice of an enemy who’s come to kill, steal, and destroy.

I’ll share an example of something {among many} in my own life … I heard a message once that convicted me to my core. Out of that message, I made the decision not to allow witchcraft, black magic, or wizardry into our home {in the form of TV shows, movies, games, toys, etc.}. It was a conviction I had and shared with my girls. It was a personal conviction I needed to obey. As my children grow and are on their own, they may not share that conviction and may turn away from that teaching.

That’ll be their choice, with no judgment from me. What’s more important to me is that I’m teaching them to listen to the Holy Spirit and their personal convictions.

So when does sin enter in? When do we become a slave to sin and do that “one thing” we don’t want to do? I believe, for the most part, it’s when we’re not obeying the Spirit. The disobeying is what becomes the sin.

I think if we put our defensive hats and excuses aside, and get really real and brutally honest, we could each admit there’s that “one thing” we know–in our heart of hearts–we know we shouldn’t be doing … but we do it anyway.

Disobeying is what becomes the sin.

And when we don’t obey, the Lord can’t bless.

Friends, as I’m about to hit “publish” on this post, I’m praying for you. As unique individuals with all your complexities and convictions, I’m praying you’ll feel the Holy Spirit … your Friend, Advocate, Counselor, Encourager, and Comforter … come alongside of you and guide you into your own personal truth. And if you already know what that truth is, and you’re a slave to it–to that “one thing” you don’t want to do–I’m praying He gives you the strength and courage you need to close the door of your “one thing” forever.

If you’re ready to take that step, might I offer the following prayer for you?

Father,
You know my heart, You know I don’t want to do this one thing I’ve struggled with for so long. But Father, I can’t do it on my own. I don’t want to carry this anymore, but I’m not strong enough to give it up on my own. Lord, give me the strength and courage I desire to surrender it to You today. Lord, take this burden … take it from my life. Let me live fully in You and the blessings You have in store for me in this life. Thank you for hearing my prayer. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen.

Tomorrow I’m going to talk about the difference between conviction and condemnation, or guilt. Join me?

This is part two in a four part series:
Part one
Part three
Part four

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