Can People Have Different Convictions? (Updated: 11/03/2021)

I was scrolling through some of my most viewed posts, stumbled upon this one, and realized… oof, I need to edit this one. There’s quite a bit I can still stand by, but the main idea behind the post I do not stand by, therefore, I recant the original idea. I wanted to let you all know this post is now edited to what you see below. 

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Recant Statement & Update: October 10th, 2021 – I apologize for some of the previous wording in this post. I recant from saying you don’t need conviction to know what sin is. For some reason, I had the wacky idea you don’t need conviction to know what sin is. And the reality is conviction is the pricking of the Spirit. Now, my arguments previously were that scripture lays out sins, and so we shouldn’t need “conviction” for those sins because we should know they are sins. But the truth is even if we are told something is wrong, until our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit, we will reject the truth. People reject the truth all the time when it comes to sin. They aren’t convicted and they are desensitized. They need Jesus to open their eyes. I corrected a few things, and added a few notes, too. Hope this helps!

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This is a topic that definitely has been discussed multiple times in my comments and by other bloggers. (Added Noted 10/10/2021: In the fall of 2018: I shared some heavy posts about my conviction over media, and some people took to it really strongly. Now, as in this post, I point out some things that are sinful in media, regardless of someone’s personal conviction. It’s important to consider that when media portrays sin, often sin is encouraged for the viewer, too. Maybe not everyone is going to get rid of their tv, and that’s ok. But we all are accountable to what we expose ourselves to, including sins like lust, as I list below.)

Conviction– Is a belief or it is something that is found to be guilty.

Conviction is part of the refining process. Through Jesus Christ, we become a new creation. The old has died and the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) We are to follow in the footsteps of Christ. In the same way the rich man was told to sell all he had and follow Jesus, we are told to let go of the things of the world, dying to our flesh daily, and follow Christ. (Matthew 19:20-23, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54, Romans 8:03, 1 Peter 2:21)

Post | Are We The Rich Man With Our Entertainment?

Some convictions are personal convictions. These are convictions that are not sinful to begin with, but for an individual are sinful. Such as drinking. Scripture does not say we can’t drink, it says do not get drunk. Some, such as myself, are personally convicted not to drink alcohol. But that does not mean it’s a sin for others.

However, this is not what I am talking about. The sins listed in the Bible, we can’t argue, yet, many do claiming they are still Christians, too.

The main struggle I see in the world is that today’s proclaimed Christians are hell-bent (to be stubborn and recklessly determined) to define for themselves what is sin and what isn’t sin.

Sin has already been determined, there’s no debate. Period. Not when it comes to God. He already has clearly told us what is sin. The problem now is because we are attached to our routines, our shows, our friends, our outings, books, music, movies, language, murders, crimes, “love”, sex, fantasy, supernatural, magic, vanity, lies, deception, witchcraft, pride and other pleasures of the world. We want to proclaim now, “Well, someone can watch porn and that’s okay because they aren’t convicted.”

For the record, you do not have to go to a porn site to see porn. I’ll say it… Game of Thrones. Fifty Shades. Any scene with sex, including those “cute” romantic comedies. 

For the record, I used to love rom coms. I also used to be really into The Big Bang Theory show. But the cursing, sex, sexual jokes, making fun of Christians, taking God’s name in vain, etc. It’s all unwholesome, no matter how many excuses I tried to give myself, and God.

And that was hard to accept. 

Note 11/03/2021: Maybe you can watch this media, but you should see there is a problem with cursing, sex, sexual jokes, making fun of Christians, taking God’s name in vain, and the like. Being desensitized to these things is not good. 

As a writer, I love and appreciate backstory. I love twists and turns in stories. Well developed characters, yes! But when there is anything unwholesome in a show, movie, book, song, video, discussion (ladies…gentlemen…), whenever it’s unwholesome…it’s sin. *Added note 10/10/2021: While people may have different convictions regarding media, and that is ok, we can’t avoid the fact that some media is just pure trash and encourages the lust of the senses. We need boundaries and we need to be accountable to what we allow ourselves to partake of. 

While I do think it is possible to talk about some of these subjects in a wholesome manner that leads to Jesus, it’s pretty obvious when these topics are not made for Christians. I think if we are digging for “symbolism” through secular means to say something is “Christian,” when Christ is not the center, is quite the stretch.

We are told to be set apart. We do not have to be part of the world’s media to stay “up to date” with others. Our actions and life are more of a testament than what we have in common with the world.

There are shows that are rated PG and G that are sinful, too. A commenter a while ago once brought up how children’s shows can have very disrespectful children, and yes, that’s true, being disrespectful to parents IS a sin. Did you know that back in the day, Old Testament, children who were disrespectful repeatedly could be killed? (Deuteronomy 21:18-21) Added Note 10/10/2021: Pretty sure, this wasn’t a first time offense, but you get the idea. 

Added 11/03/2021- It’s still possible to use children’s shows or movies to discuss with kids what the problems are. Marcia Montenegro from Christian Answers for the New Age has gone over a few kids’ films and explained problematic theology. There are other Christians who have used secular media to explain certain problems. My focus is we need to be accountable to what we expose ourselves to and not quick to dismiss sinful things depicted or encouraged. 

Even though Christ can take the sin through the atonement sacrifice on the cross, and the justification He gives us through His resurrection and imputed righteousness, for all who put their faith, the reality does not dampen or weaken that the sin itself is still evil. Christians do not tolerate sin. The Holy Spirit who resides within us will not tolerate sin in our life. He WILL make us uncomfortable. If media does make us uncomfortable because it’s related to sin, that’s probably a good indicator. 

Just because the world waters down sin, does not, at any time, mean God views sin differently.

I know some people may be tired of me constantly bringing up sin, conviction, and media, but our world is saturated in sin, and the media is saturated in sin. Our modern world is consumed with media. That’s why I talk about it. Also, the fact many feel they have to defend their actions to me… that might actually be conviction right there. Added Note 10/10/2021: I’m not the person to defend your actions to. At the end of the day, can you face the Lord in good conscience? That’s what matters. 

Conviction is a not good feeling. The thing is conviction tends to happen more often when we are drawing closer to Christ. If we are not drawing closer to Christ each and every day, then we may be drifting, and that will be evident in our life. 

The way Christians act today. “When I get convicted then I will know to surrender, submit, and draw closer to Christ.” This is truly a dangerous territory to be walking in. We have forgotten our first Love for another. Added Note 10/10/2021: What I mean by this is it seems odd to me that people wait for “feeling convicted” in order to stay away from sin that is blantantly told in the Bible. For example, a couple should not have sex if they are not married. You shouldn’t wait to “feel convicted” about it. You SHOULD know it’s wrong and put measures in place not to fall into that temptation. Conviction is deeper than just “feeling” a particular way. It’s respect and caring about our Savior and what He did on the cross for us. It’s knowing He can help us with sin and He can help us repent, and turn away from sin. That alone SHOULD convict you. 

Scripture does not say wait until we receive a revelation from God or a “feeling” on what is a sin. Scripture says RUN to Christ and that Christ, HIS WORD, teaches us what is sinful. Evil, darkness, and sin are not hidden from our eyes! Yet, we are the ones with scales that need to fall! The conviction often happens when we seek, not feelings, but the truth in the Bible.  

At the end of the day, at the end of a person’s life, no one is coming to me and this blog post for their eternity. It’s not about what I say, but what Jesus says. The Abider who intercedes for us. The Comforter who takes all of our accusations of sin through forgiving us and repentance in our soul.

It’s about you and Christ. How you are living for Him? How I am living for Him?

What are we truly doing with our time?

(NLT) 1 John 2:06, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.”

I also recommend this post on emotionalism and how it is dangerous for Christians. – Should We Use Our Emotions As Truth?

*To learn more about what Jesus did on the cross and why His atonement sacrifice is so needed please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?) 
*If you do not know the Gospel, do not turn away. If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?

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