The Holy Spirit Convicts Us of Sin

The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. John 16:8 NLT, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” A number of years ago, I began discipling a guy who had just come to Christ. He had been a drug dealer and was associated with all the other crime that revolves around drug trafficking. We were walking through a grocery store buying some items that I needed to pick up.

I noticed my friend picking up candy from the bulk bins and eating it in the store. We arrived at the checkout and I casually asked him in the hearing of the cashier how many candies he had eaten so we could pay for them. I asked him without any hint of accusation or condemnation. He stated a number and I paid for them.

When we got outside the store, with his voice trembling my friend said to me, “You don’t understand what just happened in there. A month ago, I came into this store wearing a trench coat and walked out with my pockets filled with T-bone steaks, not thinking anything of it. But now the Holy Spirit has convicted me for almost stealing penny-candy!” The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin.

© Rob Fischer 2008