Conviction is the state of being convinced of sin or sinfulness by conscience.
By conviction, a sinner is brought to repentance. He or she is compelled
to admit the truth of what is alleged by God. How do we develop and maintain
godly convictions in a culture that does not honor God? Perhaps Daniel
has some advice for us...
Daniel 1:8
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with
the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore
he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
When Daniel purposed not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong
determination to do what was right and not to give in to the pressures
around him. He became fixed in his purpose and opinion. Therefore, he
was able to choose what is right in the midst of wrong. Daniel was devoted
to godly principles and committed to always taking a godly course of action.
Like Daniel, we, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our
standards and live more like the world around us. Merely wanting or preferring
God's will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation!
Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God...
Psalm 141:4, "Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked
works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties."
Convictions require thoughtful preparation. It is easier to resist temptation
if you have thought through your convictions well before the temptation
arrives! Daniel and his friends made their decision to be faithful to
the laws of God before they were faced with the king's delicacies, so
they did not hesitate to stick with their convictions. The road to disaster
is lined with the banquet of wicked pleasures...
If you sit with those who don't run with God, you'll eat with them! Once
you've dined with them, you've ingested their poisonous diet... Ladies,
we will get into serious trouble if we have not previously determined
where truth's line is drawn. Before such situations arise, purpose in
your heart your commitments! Then when temptation (disguised as something
good) comes along, you will be ready and able to say no.
Below is a copy of an article I received some time ago that I came across
as I was cleaning up my folders. I decided to include it with today's
devotion as it was fitting....
CONVICTION OR PREFERENCE by Dr. David Gibbs
[David Gibbs is Chief Counsel for the Christian Law Association.]
The US Supreme Court classifies all religious beliefs as either preferences
or convictions. When is a Belief a Preference? A belief is a preference
when, under certain circumstances, that belief can be changed. A belief
may be strong and intense and may still be a preference. The five circumstances
noted by the court that most often cause one to change his beliefs are:
peer pressure, family pressure, litigation pressure, jail pressure, and
death pressure.
PEER PRESSURE
When the disapproval of others causes one to bend their beliefs, their
beliefs are simply preferences.
FAMILY PRESSURE
It is often pressure from within a family - from a spouse, parent, or
child - that will cause one to lessen his beliefs. The court held that
if family pressure causes one to change, that belief is merely a preference.
LITIGATION PRESSURE
When one faces an intimidating legal battle, he often re-evaluates his
beliefs. If a lawsuit changes your beliefs, they are preferences.
JAIL PRESSURE
Would you be willing to suffer a jail sentence for your belief? If not,
your belief is just a preference.
DEATH PRESSURE
The ultimate test of a belief is whether you would be willing to die for
it - like many Christian martyrs have done throughout history. Would you
be willing to die for your belief? If not, your belief is not a conviction.
When is a Belief a Conviction??
CONVICTIONS ARE SELF-DETERMINED
If you need other people to stand with you, your belief is not a conviction.
A conviction must be self-determined, not influenced by what others do
or by what others ask of you.
CONVICTIONS ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE
If you are willing to even discuss the option of dishonouring your belief,
your belief is not a conviction but only a preference.
CONVICTIONS ARE VICTORIOUS
Victory is standing for what you believe is right, regardless of the cost.
If you need earthly victory to remain true to what you believe, you do
not have a conviction.
CONVICTIONS ARE LIFESTYLES
The court held that if a man holds true to his beliefs, those beliefs
will evidence themselves in a life which is consistent with those beliefs.
Convictions must control a person's life.
If religious liberty in America is to be passed on to the next generation,
it is critical that American believers study what the Bible teaches so
they know what they believe, live consistent lives according to what the
Bible teaches, and stand firmly for what the Bible teaches! Only then
will the world recognize God's people to be people of conviction and find
our faith sufficient to pass the test of conviction versus preference.
In other words, dare to be a Daniel!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
