God will not convict believers of sin!

[Willie T]

The conviction of sin has, for hundreds of years, been a very important part of the day-to-day life of believers. It might come as a shock to you, therefore, to find out that the Bible has no record of a believer at any point being convicted of sin. There are only two verses that strongly allude to the conviction of sin (John 8:7, Acts 2:37) and two that outright mention it (John 16:8-11, Jude 1:15), however all four verses refer to those who do not believe in Jesus.

I’d like to propose something to you. The Holy Spirit will never convict you (a believer) of your sins!

Just to clarify, when I say never I mean never.
*********************
These words begin a very interesting discussion on the subject.

 

[Jesse]

I see conviction of sin more like a revelation that you did something that wasn't right in God's eyes, it's a way of conforming to Christ. If we did not know what we were doing as wrong, if God did not reveal these things to us so we could not rid them out of our lives (for instance pride, arrogance, unrighteous anger) then we would continue in them.

Being convicted (having God reveal our sins to us) is a very loving thing for Him to do. I like the fact that He does convict me, so I can go to the person and ask forgiveness and rid the sin from my life and be healed of it. In all of that, it is God teaching me in a very loving kindness way, it is a merciful act upon His part, He does it graciously, without guilt.

This is what you're talking about, right?

 

[Willie T]

Not exactly, the key is in the word CONVICT... as we use it today, without making the effort to understand how it might have been applied in the particular verse we happened to grab. (a serious mistake many of us make all the time when reading just about ANY part of the Bible.)

Here's the article.

 

[Jethro Bodine]

8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors." (James 2:8-9 NASB)

I think this all by itself will be a more accurate study of the word 'convict':
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1651&t=KJV

Click on the Vine's entry in that link for the definition and usage of the word James uses.

 

[Deborah13]

This is how I understand this teaching.....
I think one of the reasons this teaching is misunderstood sometimes is because of the way it is worded. Some will say, we are convicted (convinced) of our righteousness and leave it at that without explaining further.
When I see that scripture, John 16:10, I see that we are to be convinced of Christ's righteousness and therefore our righteousness in Him. We are righteous because we are in Him.

It is only by His righteousness (justification) that we are found to be righteous (justified).

Believers have been convinced that they have sinned against a perfectly righteous and holy God. They have been convinced that satan has been judged and that they too will be judged.
But believers need to remember that their justification is by Christ's righteousness, which is a perfect righteousness.
This understanding leaves no room for pride in one's own works or actions. At the same time it is a source of amazing strength to NOT sin because it is so full of grace. Grace builds faith, strength, joy, and love.

 

[Deborah13]

8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors." (James 2:8-9 NASB)

I think this all by itself will be a more accurate study of the word 'convict':
http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1651&t=KJV

Click on the Vine's entry in that link for the definition and usage of the word James uses.

"and are convicted by the law" or "and are convinced by the law"
When I look at the law it surely "convinces" me that I am a law breaker.
1651 elégxō – properly, to convince with solid, compelling evidence, especially to expose (prove wrong, connect).
http://biblehub.com/greek/1651.htm

 

[ReginaForbes]

I'm guessing this means that if we love God with all our Heart, all our Mind, and all our Power, but (unintentionally) screw up from time to time, He's not going to hold it against us because He knows our hearts are set on him. Do I got it right?

 

[Willie T]

I'm guessing this means that if we love God with all our Heart, all our Mind, and all our Power, but (unintentionally) screw up from time to time, He's not going to hold it against us because He knows our hearts are set on him. Do I got it right?

I'd call that a bull's-eye.

 

[Malachi]

It might come as a shock to you, therefore, to find out that the Bible has no record of a believer at any point being convicted of sin...I’d like to propose something to you. The Holy Spirit will never convict you (a believer) of your sins!...Just to clarify, when I say never I mean never.
*********************

Willie,
Which Bible have you been reading? What you propose and what the Bible reveals are in complete conflict. So let's see if there is any validity to your proposal (Acts 5:1-11):
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
1. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Yes
2. Did they lie to the Holy Spirit? Yes
3. Were they convicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter? Yes
4. Were they judged by God? Yes
5. Are Christians told to examine themselves? Yes
6. Does the Word of God convict Christians? Yes
7. Does the Holy Spirit convict Christians? Absolutely.
8. Will Christians be judged by God if they do not repent? Yes
9. Is there a "sin unto death"? Yes

It concerns me greatly when Christians who have been Christians for a while can simply contradict what Scripture teaches, and possibly mislead many new Christians who really do not know the Word of God. That is a sin against the Holy Spirit.

Every believer has the "old man" or "the flesh" or "the sin nature" within, and every believer can and does sin, inspite of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore you will find numerous exhortations to Christians which are designed to convict us of our sins. When we read those we are indeed convicted, if we are sinning in those areas. According to Hebrews 4:12,13 BOTH the living written Word of God and the Holy Spirit combine together to convict either believers or non-believers. "If we say we have no sin, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn 1:8). That was written by the apostle John to Christians.

 

[Deborah13]

I'm guessing this means that if we love God with all our Heart, all our Mind, and all our Power, but (unintentionally) screw up from time to time, He's not going to hold it against us because He knows our hearts are set on him. Do I got it right?

I would ask you what you mean by 'unintentional'?
David committed adultery and then murder to try to cover up the adultery. But God said David was a man after His own heart.
I would agree with you, that God knows the intentions of our heart and if our heart is set on Him, He will see us through, He will not forsake us.

 

[Deborah13]

1. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Yes
2. Did they lie to the Holy Spirit? Yes
3. Were they convicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter? Yes
4. Were they judged by God? Yes
5. Are Christians told to examine themselves? Yes
6. Does the Word of God convict Christians? Yes
7. Does the Holy Spirit convict Christians? Absolutely.
8. Will Christians be judged by God if they do not repent? Yes
9. Is there a "sin unto death"? Yes

1. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Maybe
2. Did they lie to the Holy Spirit? Yes
3. Were they convicted [convinced] by the Holy Spirit through Peter? Maybe, it doesn't tell us if they believed Peter.
4. Were they judged by God? Yes
5. Are Christians told to examine themselves? Yes
6. Does the Word of God convict [convince] Christians? That is the intent of God's Word. Believers and unbelievers.
7. Does the Holy Spirit convict [convince] Christians? That is one reason He was sent to both believers, unbelievers.
8. Will Christians be judged by God if they do not repent? A person who has not repented is not a Christian.
9. Is there a "sin unto death"? Yes - not receiving the Lord Jesus the Christ as Lord and Savoir.

 

[ReginaForbes]

I would ask you what you mean by 'unintentional'?
David committed adultery and then murder to try to cover up the adultery. But God said David was a man after His own heart.
I would agree with you, that God knows the intentions of our heart and if our heart is set on Him, He will see us through, He will not forsake us.

Well, for unintentional, an example I could think of is acting out before thinking. Like cussing when one should bite their tongue. I know I've done that one a few times!

 

[Willie T]

Willie,
Which Bible have you been reading? What you propose and what the Bible reveals are in complete conflict. So let's see if there is any validity to your proposal (Acts 5:1-11):
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.
3But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.
10Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
1. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Yes
2. Did they lie to the Holy Spirit? Yes
3. Were they convicted by the Holy Spirit through Peter? Yes
4. Were they judged by God? Yes
5. Are Christians told to examine themselves? Yes
6. Does the Word of God convict Christians? Yes
7. Does the Holy Spirit convict Christians? Absolutely.
8. Will Christians be judged by God if they do not repent? Yes
9. Is there a "sin unto death"? Yes

It concerns me greatly when Christians who have been Christians for a while can simply contradict what Scripture teaches, and possibly mislead many new Christians who really do not know the Word of God. That is a sin against the Holy Spirit.

Every believer has the "old man" or "the flesh" or "the sin nature" within, and every believer can and does sin, inspite of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore you will find numerous exhortations to Christians which are designed to convict us of our sins. When we read those we are indeed convicted, if we are sinning in those areas. According to Hebrews 4:12,13 BOTH the living written Word of God and the Holy Spirit combine together to convict either believers or non-believers. "If we say we have no sin, WE DECEIVE OURSELVES, and the truth is not in us" (1 Jn 1:8). That was written by the apostle John to Christians.

Was the rich man in the parable of Lazarus & the rich man, a Christian?
Was the man spoken of at the beginning of that same chapter?
Ananias was called the same thing those men were called, "a certain man".

Where did you find that any of them were Christians? Mal, that is clearly adding something to the word of God that is not there, at all.

And what does "having sin" got to do with the fact that, as Romans states, "There is no condemnation for Christians?"

 

[turnorburn]

Where did you hear that Willie?

Jesus said the holy spirit will convict us of sin in..

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

If someone is teaching something other than what is written then it is wrong teaching..

tob

 

[Deborah13]

Well, for unintentional, an example I could think of is acting out before thinking. Like cussing when one should bite their tongue. I know I've done that one a few times!

I agree that is definitely unintentional, you don't do that to disparage God or the Word of God, in anyway.

 

[jasonc]

we have some that are pro eternal security. let the games begin. I want to know how a person can have unforgiveness and enter into heaven with that doctrine?

 

[Willie T]

Where did you hear that Willie?

Jesus said the holy spirit will convict us of sin in..

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

If someone is teaching something other than what is written then it is wrong teaching..

tob

Don't you even read what you, yourself, post? Who is verse 9 talking about?
(HINT) Read the "they believe not in Jesus" part. Do Christians, "not believe?"

 

[Brother Mike]

I'm guessing this means that if we love God with all our Heart, all our Mind, and all our Power, but (unintentionally) screw up from time to time, He's not going to hold it against us because He knows our hearts are set on him. Do I got it right?

To be convicted means to be guilty of.............. We are not guilty.

However............... All past transgressions are cast into the sea of forgetfullness. As a believer though, sin is a major issue. You can be forgiven, but not be blessed.

Jesus said He that is faithful in little, more shall be given.

If you keep sinning and repenting, though forgiven, it does not mean you get your place back or promotion. We are suppose to run a race, walk the path of righteousness. God can't promote if He can't trust you.

This don't effect a lot of believers as most are not concerned at all with doing the full will and plan of God for their life.

 

[Malachi]

1. Were Ananias and Sapphira Christians? Maybe

Since you say "maybe" it would be futile to discuss this any further. Had you taken the time to study this incident, you would have noted that this couple was a part of "their own company" (Acts 4:23), that this group of Christians "were all filled with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 4:31), that "they were all of one heart and one soul" (Acts 4:32), and "great grace was upon them all" (Acts 4:33). If in spite of this overwhelming evidence that Ananias and Sapphira were genuine Christians you are prepared to question that the Holy Spirit was within them, then of course we can always manipulate Scripture to mean whatever we wish. And that's what this thread is about anyhow.

 

[Malachi]

And what does "having sin" got to do with the fact that, as Romans states, "There is no condemnation for Christians?"

What that verse says is this "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. When a Christian is controlled by "the flesh" there is definitely conviction of sin, and furthermore, if believers do not repent, there are serious consequences. But you need to find this out for yourself from Scripture. Until then do not mislead Christians.