We are learning about what exactly is Holy Spirit conviction. This is necessary because many in the pulpit have never been saved, never received Holy Spirit conviction, so they are unable to help the lost in their congregations.
The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God as the means of driving the sinner out of himself to the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice the word "Lord." If Jesus Christ is not Lord over your life, you are not saved. The Spirit causes the sinner to sit and listen, for "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17) The Holy Spirit brings the requirements of the Law to the lost and causes the sinner to cry out that he is lost! "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death" (Romans 7:24) The law condemns, it is the gospel that acquits.
There is so much empty preaching in churches today that there is no conviction in the average fellowship. The sinner is made comfortable in his sins, he feels no necessity to repent and run to the cross for salvation. Friend, have you ever mourned over your sins? Have you ever been made to lie at the feet of Christ in the dust of repentance? If you haven't, God help you to get there.
In summary, Holy Spirit conviction can be described as follows: The Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and digs deep into the very nature of that sinner's being; He brings the sinner to a place of weeping and mourning over his lost condition until he repents and forsakes his sin. Then, the Holy Spirit takes the Word of God and digs deep into his prejudices, his pride, his rebellion, and his utter emptiness until sees his guilty distance from a holy God and is made to cry out, "Have mercy upon me, O God...Against thee, thee only, have I sinned." (Psalm 51: 1,4)
Unless the Holy Spirit strips you and lets you see your nakedness before God, you will never cry for the righteousness of Christ. May there be a cry in your heart that you will not let go until you find rest in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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