Condemnation vs. Conviction

I wanted to touch a little bit today on the difference between condemnation and conviction. These can sometimes be misleading and seem interchangeable, but in fact, they are very different. 

Condemnation is general, meaning that you feel guilty or poorly and you're not sure why. Where as Conviction is specific in that you know why you feel the way that you do. You know you feel guilty because of that thing you did yesterday.

Condemnation is from Satan. This is Satan's way of pointing his finger at us, calling us hypocrites and saying "how can you be Christian after what you just did". Conviction is from the Holy Spirit. This is a way that we are "kept on track" if you will. If you feel this coming onto us just thinking about the sin, then we know it's a warning, it's the Holy Spirit trying to tell us to turn the other way.

Lastly is that condemnation leads to despair - the complete loss or absence of hope. With despair in our lives we will be drained of all energy and drive. Conviction is the opposite where it can lead to repentance for our sin. Conviction, though it sounds bad, is very good to have.

Sorry today's was so late, very random and not very well put together, but it was something that was brought to my attention recently and it had to be shared.