Does the Spirit Convict Believers
Conviction
Some question whether Holy Spirit within those who are in Christ convicts them of sin.
This thought comes from John 16:8-9 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world regarding sin, and righteousness, and judgment: regarding sin, because they do not believe in Me” (NASB20)
Based on this, many who understand the new covenant see that Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, and they teach that He does not convict believers of sin because their sin was taken away and forgotten.
It’s true that this passage isn’t teaching that Holy Spirit convicts believers of anything.
Nevertheless, I think the argument here turns on the meaning of the word convict. Many teachers focus on the fact that when someone is convicted it means they have been found guilty. Indeed, that is the definition of the word convict. For this reason, they stress that Holy Spirit does not convict His children of sin. For Him to do that would indicate that the blood of Jesus did not actually take away sins.
Within the context of scripture, many people do not understand the word convict that way, however. Instead, when they say they are being “convicted” they mean that their conscience is unsettled.
The passage above says He convicts the world of sin and therefore we know that is true. That question is not at issue with anyone. But we all know from personal experience that Holy Spirit in us does not sit idly by when we have ungodly attitudes and actions that do not express the Life of Christ in us. So, He clearly takes some form of action that lets us know where we could improve and better express Christ.
Holy Spirit leads us, or guides us, into the truth according to John 16:13. He trains us in righteousness. (see Titus 2:11-12) He disciplines us, training us to be better conformed to the image of Christ. (see Hebrews 12:6 and Philippians 2:13) He does this very often by causing us to be unsettled in our spirit.
So, if being unsettled in your spirit is what you mean, try to be accurate when you communicate that. Holy Spirit does not convict you of sin, but He absolutely guides you into the truth of righteousness.
