The Holy Misconception

Do you ever wish Jesus was physically present with you at all times? I think it would totally help prevent us from sinning if Jesus in human form was walking with us everywhere we went! Yet, understanding the role of the Spirit in our daily lives, reminding ourselves of His presence within us is actually what will help prevent us from sinning. We have greater power living within us in the Spirit than we would if Jesus was physically standing with us. In fact, we need to catch the revelation that Christ in us is greater than Jesus standing next to us.

Many believers think it’s the job of the Holy Spirit to convict people. In John 16, we see Jesus telling His disciples He had to go so the Holy Spirit could come and dwell within us. According to John 16, the Holy Spirit is our counselor, helper, comforter, and advocate. He guides us into all truth (John 16:13). He prays on our behalf (Romans 8:26). He testifies to us concerning our identity as children of the living God (Romans 8:16). Yet, He does not convict us like many people think He does. Why would the Holy Spirit be convicting believers of sin if sin was taken care of on the cross? Did you know there is only one place in Scripture where the word convict is used in the same sentence as the Holy Spirit? In John 16:8, most translations use the word ‘prove’ or ‘convict’ to talk about the Holy Spirit’s job, but the word used in the original Greek translates the word ‘prove’ to ‘convince’! Using the word convince here is very important in understanding the job of the Holy Spirit in our lives because the Holy Spirit is not here to convict us of sin. The job of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers is to convince us of our righteousness in Christ. When we are tempted with sin, the Holy Spirit within us is there to convince us that we are better than sin because we have Jesus. We don’t need moments of pleasure to satisfy us because we are satisfied in Christ. In the life of non-believers, the Holy Spirit is there to convince them they need Jesus. That life in Christ is actually free and fun. It’s time to listen to the voice of the Spirit, for He is here to convince us of our permanent reality - righteous kids already seated at the King’s table!