The Grace Of Conviction

Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight! . . .

When I refused to confess my sin,

my body wasted away,

and I groaned all day long.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Psalm 32:1, 3-4

TO COME UNDER CONVICTION of sin and to gain a sense of clarity about the offensive nature of our selfish actions and rebellious attitudes is not necessarily pleasant. We would much rather close our eyes to the ugliness of our sin. To name it for what it is and to admit that we’ve been foolish, selfish, and rebellious is also unpleasant. It’s humbling and uncomfortable.

Perhaps part of the pain of conviction and confession is the recognition that we’re being called to forsake that sin. And the truth is, we like our sin. We don’t want to say no to it forever. It seems like it’s adding to our life. At least for a while. Until we figure out what David expressed in Psalm 32, which was that the sin that seems pleasant in the moment ultimately brings pain. What we thought would add to our life proves to rob us of life.

But to come under conviction is evidence of the Spirit at work. To experience the heaviness of our reluctance to confess is a gift of God. We want our children to experience this same heavy and uncomfortable grace of conviction. We want the Spirit to hound them to forsake whatever creates a barrier between them and God.

Lord, how I long for ________ to know firsthand the joy of your forgiveness and the clean conscience made possible by your work of putting sin out of sight. And I know this is a unique joy that comes only after confession. So, Lord, send your Spirit to do his convicting work in ________’s life. Let him feel the weight of his sin, as well as the confidence that if he will confess his sin, you will surely forgive.