Condemnation Destroys!

Condemnation makes you feel ashamed, guilty, unworthy, and belittled. This is the works of Satan.

Now this is the definition of Condemnation: 

con·dem·na·tion

/ˌkändəmˈnāSH(ə)n/

1. the expression of very strong disapproval; censure
2. the action of condemning someone to a punishment; sentencing. (dictionary.com)

Conviction corrects a wrong behavior and encourages right behavior through the judgement and wisdom of God. 

This is the definition of a Conviction:

con·vic·tion

/kənˈvikSH(ə)n/

1. a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
2. A firmly held belief or opinion (dictionary.com)

God gives us a path to walk on and many of us, always, thinks there is a short cut or a better way; and proceed to venture away from it. There is a difference between condemnation and conviction! As mentioned above, Satan condemns, God convicts! Now that you are aware of a correction and a punishment, keep that in mind the next time you are wanting to step out of God's Grace onto a path that you know is not beneficial to walk upon. 

Romans 14:17-23 AMPC

17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.

19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.

20 You must not, for the sake of food, undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats.

21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him.

22 Your personal convictions [on such matters]—exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].

23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

Let me give you an example: It is not fun looking for a job when you do not have one. It can be arduous! The application process, the interviews, the development of a resume, waiting, and panicking because bills are piling up and there is no income coming in. A so-called friend tells you how to make quick and easy money - selling drugs! You hesitate (which is the Holy Spirit convicting you), but you give it a try, thinking you will do it until you get back on your feet.

Luke 8:17

17 For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open.

Money starts coming in, things are going well, life is good, you are able to pay your bills, buy a new car, step out in style - but there’s quite a few things holding you back. The first thing is, if you do have a conscious, there is no peace! Your clients per say, frequent your house all hours of the day and night; and you are jeopardizing your self and family members of this serious crime that, if caught, can lead to 30 years in prison and friends and family turning their back on you. Not a good path to be on. 

Psalms 27:11-14 NKJV

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Now to do it God’s way, will take time; but it is time worth waiting for. God’s path is peaceful and in time, prosperous. When you wait on God, He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams  and give you a peace of mind that is better than dealing in drugs ever could - and you have no debt to pay society! No one will be in harms way, have a guilty conscious, or be fearful for their lives; whereas, righteousness prevailed! 

So the next time you have a feeling of guilt, run to God, not away from Him; because He will give you correction, with love, of how to proceed on a path of victory!

Matthew 7:11-14 AMPC 

11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

12 So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.

13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.