What Is Biblical Conviction?

I love reading about godly people in the Bible. I find such strength through their examples. I love reading of faithful Noah, of the faith of Abraham, of the integrity of Joseph, of the perseverance of Job, of the passion of David, of the boldness of the prophets, of the dedication of the Apostle Paul. These stories inspire me because they were real people, who put conviction into practice and it showed in their lives. They made mistakes, they sinned, they struggled at times, but they put conviction into practice and it showed through their character. Biblical conviction is seen in our lives though not by the measure we speak of feeling convicted, it is not by an inward feeling of immense guilt, but it is seen by a change in character

II. Biblical Conviction Leads to Serious Commitment

There are many people in the church who have strong preferences. There are people that have preferences as to what they believe. Those preferences they may devote time, energy, and money to. There is a difference though in conviction and preference. Preferences you can change convictions you will not change no matter what the circumstances. You will not change convictions even with the threat of jail, sacrifice, or even loss of life. Many people treat what should be their unchanging convictions as preferences. They treat it like they prefer diet soda over regular, regular over decaff coffee. Our convictions should never change and should lead to some outward action.

No matter if those convictions are right or wrong they should come into play in how you live. For example, Hitler was a man with strong conviction on certain things, and he lived those convictions. Bin Laden has strong conviction and he lives it. That can be used for good too. We have seen time and time again that people with real deep conviction are willing to stand up for what they believe in no matter what the cost may be. I am convinced that one of the problems that exist within the church is a lack of people with true convictions. I know that some people have moral standards and may even show some of the fruit of the spirit in their lives, but that does not equate having conviction. People with conviction have a serious commitment to what they believe. If we could find people in the church that are so devoted to their beliefs and morals that they would not compromise no matter what the church would make a much greater impact of a world without any convictions. I have said many times and I really believe that people are willing to follow people with strong convictions no matter what those convictions are. I love seeing people with conviction stand up for what they believe.

Roy Moore was chief justice of the Alabama Supreme court, and when a federal judge ordered him to remove the Ten Commandments monument from the courthouse he refused. Moore was removed from his office because of his firm stance and serious commitment to what he believed. His convictions and beliefs were so strong that he was willing to loose his job for what he believed in.