Conviction vs. Condemnation
“If you don’t have no story to tell them, then you don’t have no power.”
- Dr. Matthew Stevenson III
I grew up in church my entire life. Yup that’s right a “church baby”. I knew what it was like to party on Saturday and then worship in church on Sunday. I knew what it was like to have some drinks, then tell God that I’ll never do it again. But, the soul tie I was probably my greatest convictions. However, we fail to recognize that it is better to feel God’s conviction than to not feel it.
What is Conviction?
Conviction is God’s correction and chastisement that can be felt when we do something that is not pleasing to God. It’s one of His love languages. (Hebrews 12:6). Without God’s conviction, we are subject to the feeling of guilt. Now God’s conviction is different from the world’s conviction. For instance, the world’s conviction looks at the current state and past of a being (you) and determines their future. The world’s conviction would hold you to your past, but God’s conviction doesn’t. God’s conviction looks at the state of a being's future and determines the process needed to get them there.
Transparency Time (TTime)
Let me be transparent. During my undergrad years at college, I attended multiple functions/ parties on the weekends. It was nothing like a good spring weekend or a homecoming event. I would pre-game before the parties with friends, and most of the time, I ended up intoxicated (I do not promote underage drinking). I would enjoy the night out, but I would feel God's conviction when I would wake up the following day. His conviction made me feel like I’ve vexed Him. It was to the point that it brought me to repentance. Without that conviction, I wouldn’t have created this blog. God’s conviction in those very moments reminded me that He wanted to deliver me and wanted me to give up that life because He desired better things for me. But it was through those times I learned more about God’s agape (His love) through His conviction. God’s love admires every one of your imperfections.
It’s important to note that God’s conviction brings you to repentance instead of guilt (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is “a commitment to a new way of living and… the transformation of the human heart and mind”. The good thing about God is that He forgives us and doesn’t hold our past or faults against us when we repent. He actually forgets about it! (Hebrews 8:12). After we repent, we must turn out hearts and strive to live like Jesus Christ.
What is condemnation?
Condemnation is the feeling of guilt resulting from another’s judgment. God NEVER condemns us. (Romans 8:1). I think it is accusations without reason. Therefore, the world loves to condemn people. Condemnation can come from family, friends, co-workers, and sadly church people. For example, if someone who has a criminal record commits robbery and all evidence shows that they stole the items, then the judge only option is to punish (condemn) that person because they have found he/she guilty of committing that crime. It makes you think that because you did something regrettable that God looks at you as a terrible person. However, God is so just (fair) that He would look at that person’s record and still choose to use he/she for a greater purpose. He wouldn’t cast guilt or shame on an individual, instead, His conviction changes a person. It would point out all the evidence that shows how He can transform a thief into a disciple.
Always remeber that He is so in love with you. I mean, everything that you think is wrong about you He loves and there is nothing you do can change His mind about you!
Transparency lives here - Defined Destiny
Leave a comment down below if you liked this blog. I’d love to do part 2!
LAW SCHOOL?
“When you don’t know what to do, look for the peace of God in your decision[s].”
- Dr. Aretha Wilson
If I could categorize this season of my life it would be called “The Re-route”. I thought I had it all figured out. Then boom, my plan for after graduation turns upside down.
For a year, I questioned if law school was part of my future after college. It was never my childhood dream to become a lawyer. As a career goal I thought it was too typical of a black woman’s dream. However, I knew that working in the court room was where I wanted to be. I had a passion for law and that was all. I was intrigued by the terminology and the history of cases that become precedent followed by the entire world. On the other hand, Law school was another thing. Child, I prayed to God for clarity about it for months. I wanted to know if this was part of His will for me, but that’s another story for another day.
Applying to law schools and potentially being a a first generation law student was terrifying. I knew nothing about the application process, the LSAT or the top 14 schools in the country. I just knew I needed a plan I’d be intrested in after I graduate. I decided to invest into this process. I listened to podcast after podcast, watched youtube videos, connected with law students, law professors, and attorneys. The craziest part is that I still didn’t have it all figured out. My Road 2 Law tested me. It tested my faith, patience, and my heart. After submitting my applications I still didn’t figure out whether my heart was drawn to law school, but I will never regret taking the leap of faith and applying.
Although deny letters may have altered the path, the destination remain the same. It doesn’t mean that law school isn’t an option later on in life because rejection is God’s redirection. Knowing that He’s guiding me, I’m at peace with the way it turned out. So fellow dreamers, don’t give up on your career goals because of the reroute of your journey. God has already defined your destiny!
PEOPLE PLEASER
“Don’t live up to the expectations of people who don’t know themselves.” -Robert Ty Jones
(Did I really want people to know?)
I have wanted to start my blog since October 2020. I struggled to unbottle this idea, so I kept putting the cap on it. I was scared. Afraid to share the challenges I faced, being as young as I am. I was frightened of how it would be perceived if I told my everyday struggles. However, being transparent has always been ironically comforting. I had every excuse never to start this blog, but here I am. I’m telling you everything I never wanted people to know.
Let's cut to the chase. I was scared of what people would say or think about me. Society calls it a "people pleaser," and that's exactly what I was. Since everyone loves labels, let's define it. It's a person who has an emotional need to please others, often at the expense of his or her own needs or desires. Where was my happiness? I pleased so many people trying to fit their standards, morals, and values that I lost my happiness. I love to write, so when a friend of mine first suggested that I start a blog, I was excited. But, as I sat in my college dorm bedroom bringing this idea to life, my excitement died down. "I can't do this blog,” I told myself. But who was I more afraid of? People or God?
Did I really want people to know that I was dying in my spiritual life because I liked the world's fun going to parties and drinking with my friends, but I wanted God too? Did I really want people to know how much I tried to fit in with friends but never felt satisfied with it? Did I really want people to know that I struggled with lust and low-self-esteem? Did I really want people to know how I got into a soul tie with a young man I put before God? Or did I really want people to know that I would cry in my room because I had secrets that I vowed never to tell anyone?
Yes, I did. If I had asked myself these questions two years ago, the answer would have been "no," but today, I choose to live in my transparency. Not to be amusing or to continue being fake, but to help others heal and see that they're not alone. You are not alone with your struggles as you walk this journey with Jesus Christ. I call it being young and saved.
Psalms 37:40 "The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them because they take refuge in Him" (NIV).
Thus, the Lord loves you and me. He loves us so much that he knows every one of our flaws and still desires to use us for His purpose. He'll bring you out of lust, depression, suicide, and even heartbreak, but we must first ask Him for forgiveness and admit that we’ve made mistakes. The best thing about it all is that you can find safety, healing, and comfort in Him from it. He's here to protect you from it. So, no more people-pleasing! Let's commit to not letting anyone else's needs or desires stop us from fulfilling our purpose because people need help and healing. This blog is part of my purpose, and I choose to never put the cap back on it.
“Transparency lives here”- Defined Destiny
