|
What is conviction? The state of mind of a person who is convinced that he / she believes or says is true. It is a strong belief or opinion.
Do you think Jesus had his own convictions? .Yes, he did. Do you think Paul had his own convictions? He did. He was an outstanding disciple with lot of deep convictions. Why do you think Paul had his own convictions? That’s because he deeply understood Gods plan and expectation for his life.
Is it important to have your own convictions? A person with his own convictions is like a wise man that built his house on a
rock. The rain came down, the stream rose & the wind blew & beat against that house it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Matthew 7:24-26
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
Where do your think our conviction need to come from? From the word of God. Today, as a disciple what are some of your deep convictions?
Lets look into the bible and add convictions to lead a great Christian life.
1. Convictions about purity.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-9
3 It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;
4 that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable,
5 not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God;
6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
8 Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.
9 Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
God had called us to live a holy life
2. Convictions about keeping our ministries & homes clean
Matthew 8:8
The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
The disciples cleared the place before they left.
3. Convictions about keeping up our word
(in time for appointments)
Matthew 5:37
Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
4. Convictions about fasting
Matthew 4:2
After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
Jesus fasted
Matthew 6:17
But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
When we fast sincerely, blessings are for sure.
5. Convictions against criticism
2 Corinthians 8:20-21
20 We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift.
21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
Luke 8:49-53
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more."
50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."
51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother.
52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep."
53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
6. Convictions to face persecutions
Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are your when your are persecuted
2 Timothy 2:12
if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;
It is a promise.
7. Convictions about unity
Psalm 133:1
A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
It is good & pleasant to be united
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Perfect unity binds everything together.
8. Convictions about job
1 Thessalonians 4:11
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you,
Find a job if you don’t have one
9. Convictions to preach boldly
Acts 4:29
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
Speak with boldness.
10. Convictions to say Amen
Deuteronomy 27:10-26
10 Obey the LORD your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today."
11 On the same day Moses commanded the people:
12 When you have crossed the Jordan, these tribes shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph and Benjamin.
13 And these tribes shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali.
14 The Levites shall recite to all the people of Israel in a loud voice:
15 "Cursed is the man who carves an image or casts an idol--a thing detestable to the LORD, the work of the craftsman's hands--and sets it up in secret." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
16 "Cursed is the man who dishonors his father or his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
17 "Cursed is the man who moves his neighbor's boundary stone." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
18 "Cursed is the man who leads the blind astray on the road." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
19 "Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
20 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his father's wife, for he dishonors his father's bed." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
21 "Cursed is the man who has sexual relations with any animal." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
22 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
23 "Cursed is the man who sleeps with his mother-in-law." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
24 "Cursed is the man who kills his neighbor secretly." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
25 "Cursed is the man who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
26 "Cursed is the man who does not uphold the words of this law by carrying them out." Then all the people shall say, "Amen!"
It is godly to say amen
Pray and decide to make from your heart from now on these are going to be your own convictions.
|
