What is a conviction?
A conviction is a basic scriptural principle which we purpose to follow, whatever the cost!
How do convictions differ from preferences?
Quiz:
Which are convictions and which are preferences?
1. I have a conviction that I should try and overcome a drinking problem.
2. I have a conviction that a man should lead his family, but in some situations this may change.
3. I have a conviction that some of the television program that I watch are harmful for my children.
4. I have a conviction that I should not pay taxes to programs which violate God’s word.
Answers:
1. A preference – not a conviction. A conviction must be seen in daily living.
2. A preference – not a conviction. A conviction must not change.
3. A preference – not a conviction. A conviction must be consistent. If the television programs are harmful for children, they are also harmful for adults.
4. An unscriptural conviction. Jesus paid taxes to the very government which put Him to death, and God commands us to pay all of our taxes (Romans 13:6-7).
TEN SCRIPTURAL CONVICTIONS
…which every man must teach his family in order to protect them from destructive influences of wrong desires, false philosophies and Satanic temptations.
1. The bible is the inspired word of God and the final authority for my life.
2. My purpose in life is to seek God with my whole heart and to build goals around His priorities.
3. My body is the living temple of God and must not be defiled by the lusts of the world.
4. My church must teach the foundational truths of the Bible and reinforce my basic convictions.
5. My children and grandchildren belong to God, and it is my responsibility to teach them Scriptural principles, Godly character, and basic convictions.
6. My activities must never weaken the Scriptural convictions of another Christian.
7. My marriage is a life-long commitment to God and to my marriage partner.
8. My money is a trust from God and must be earned and managed according to Scriptural principles.
9. My words must be in harmony with God’s Word, especially when reproving and restoring a Christian brother.
10. My affections must be set on things above, not on things in the earth.
SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR THESE TEN CONVICTIONS:
1. The bible is the inspired word of God and the final authority for my life.
a. First Commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)
b. David’s Teaching: “…Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm 138:2)
c. Christ’s teaching: “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
d. Paul’s Teaching: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (II Timothy 3:16).
2. My purpose in life is to seek God with my whole heart and to build goals around His priorities.
a. Second commandment: Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…nor serve them…” (Exodus 20:4-5).
b. David’s Teaching: “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).
c. Christ’s teaching: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
d. Paul’s Teaching: “…I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ…” (Philippians 3:8).
3. My body is the living temple of God and must not be defiled by the lusts of the world.
a. Third commandment: Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain…” (Exodus 20:7) (We damage His name by immorality).
b. Nathan’s reproof of David’s immorality: “…By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme…” (II Samuel 12:14).
c. Daniel’s Example: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8).
d. Christ’s Teaching: “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications…and defile the man” (Mark 7:21-23)
e. Paul’s teaching: “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God…if any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy…” (I Corinthians 3:16-17).
f. Peter’s teaching: “…Abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (I Peter 2:11).
4. My church must teach the foundational truths of the Bible and reinforce my basic convictions.
a. Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8).
b. God’s promise: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).
c. David’s Teaching: Give unto the lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).
d. Christ’s teaching: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves: Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:15-16).
e. Paul’s Teaching: “…What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness…Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” (II Corinthians 6:14-17).
f. Peter’s Teaching: “for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…” (I Peter 4:17).
5. My children and grandchildren belong to God, and it is my responsibility to teach them Scriptural principles, Godly character, and basic convictions.
a. Fifth Commandment: “Honour thy father and thy mother…” (Exodus 20:12). (A child’s honor permits a father to teach.)
b. God’s instruction: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto Thy children…” (Deuteronomy 4:9).
c. David’s teaching: “Lo children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” (Psalm 127:3).
d. Christ’s Teaching: “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).
e. Paul’s Teaching:
i. “(A child)…is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father” (Galatians 4:1,2).
ii. “…We exhorted and comforted and charged one of you, as a father doth his children” (I Thessalonians 2:11).
6. My activities must never weaken the Scriptural convictions of another Christian.
a. Sixth Commandment: “ Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) (This can also be applied in a spiritual sense.)
b. Salomon’s Warning: “Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit…” (Proverbs 28:10).
c. Christ’s warning: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
d. Paul’s teaching: “…But judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way” (Romans 14:13).
7. My marriage is a life-long commitment to God and to my marriage partner.
a. Seventh Commandment: “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14)
b. God’s creation purpose: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
c. Solomon’s Warning: “…Whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul” (Proverbs 6:23).
d. Christ’s Teaching: “…What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder” (Matthew 19:6).
e. Paul’s Teaching: “For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress…” (Romans 7:2,3).
8. My money is a trust from God and must be earned and managed according to Scriptural principles.
a. Eighth Commandment: “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15).
b. God’s Instruction: “Thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…” (Deuteronomy 8:18).
c. Solomon’s warning: “…In the revenues of the wicked is trouble” (Proverbs 15:6).
d. Malachi’s Warning: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me… In tithes and offerings” (Malachi 3:8).
e. Christ’s Teaching: “If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon (riches), who will commit to your trust the true riches?” (Luke 16:11).
f. Paul’s Teaching: “For the love of money is the root of all evil: Which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (I Timothy 6:10).
9. My words must be in harmony with God’s Word, especially when reproving and restoring a Christian brother.
a. Ninth Commandment: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16).
b. Solomon’s Instruction:
i. “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer…” (Proverbs 15:28).
ii. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” (Proverbs 18:21).
iii. “Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another” (Proverbs 25:9).
c. Christ’s Teaching:
i. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
ii. “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between him and thee alone” (Matthew 18:15).
d. Paul’s Teaching: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one” (Galatians 6:1).
10. My affections must be set on things above, not on things in the earth.
a. Tenth Commandment: “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house…nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s” (Exodus 20:17)
b. Job’s Testimony: “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
c. Christ’s Teaching: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21).
d. Paul’s Teaching: “Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2).
Building a conviction is like growing a tree. It takes the right seed, time, and balanced care – especially in the beginning! Too much sunlight, too much water, or not enough protection, and the tree will die.
It is for this reason that the five commands of I Corinthians 16:13 and 14 are so necessary for a man in order to be successful in building convictions in his own life and in the lives of those in his family.
These commands are actually five steps that every man can follow in order to insure consistency and balance in building convictions. If one step is emphasized too strongly, his wife and children will either react to a conviction, or be out of balance in their own approach to it.
1. Be alert to spiritual danger!
2. Be true to God’s standards!
3. Be a man!
4. Be strong!
5. Be kind and loving in all that you do!
