"Conviction of the Holy Spirit, not the Flesh."
Posted: Sunday, September 27, 2009
by revruc1
Sugarwood Christian Center intl inc
Wikipedia says: "A conviction is a strongly held belief that is arrived at after considering personal experiences and any external inputs that may have been encountered. Conviction is a subjective perception, feeling, or suspicion regarding the validity of a concept or hypothesis."
You would have to have been on Saturn to avoid all the publicity of the O.J. Simpson trials, both of them; so I'll use that as an example. If we say, "The prosecution is pressing to get a conviction against O.J.," what do, we mean? What we mean is that they are pressing to convince the jury of the guilt of the defendant.
When you or I hold a conviction about something, what it means is that we have weighed it and measured it to the point that we have become convinced that it is true beyond a reasonable doubt and that anything that goes against it is false. It is no longer something we hold in the realm of possibility. We have found it to be truth worth defending. However, in any case, the Bible made it clear about adulteryAs Christians, some of us can thank God that to date we have been spared. After listening to the coverage of the case, I know it would be a challenging experience noting a spouse in an uncompromising position with a friend that is a friend of the family.
With that in mind, let me ask you, what religious convictions do you hold? I'm not asking you which convictions you'll allow. What principles are so settled in your mind that they have become facts that cannot be denied and must be defended? One of the reasons a philosophy like multiculturalism can be so widely embraced today is that it takes no conviction to hold it. You don't need to know anything. It's a brainless, a cowardly choice. You don't have to stand up and shield it. You don't have to ponder over the fact that it is illogical, unreasonable, unfounded, and doesn't add up. It's fashionable, so you can even congratulate yourself for being in such a broad stream of prominent people. On the surface, if you don't spend very much time thinking about it, you can view yourself as being accepting and open minded and tolerant. But as Don Hinkle once said, "You can become so open-minded that your brains fall out!"
Multiculturalism is the lord of the lazy. It is the deity of those who don't think. It is the supreme being of those with no sense, who put their feelings over facts. Their common sense is on standby. It is the adoration of the apathetic. Jesus said, "He who is not with Me' is against Me;' and he who does not gather with Me' scatters." He also said, "No one comes to the Father, except through Me.'
God says, "You shall have no other gods before Me.'" How can anyone say they believe these things, and then embrace something like multiculturalism? How can you say there is one God, one way, then nod your head in agreement with those who say there are many gods and many ways and they all should be viewed as equally true?
To have conviction we must live according to the Spirit of God and not the flesh. We are warned not to live according to the deeds of the flesh but be led by the Spirit. If we live according to the flesh, we will die. Romans 8:13 says: "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Dr. Clarence Rucker, Jr ("From dust to life to power") CR
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More commentsGreat article again, Rev. Peace to you and yours.Thanks again Jeff. The same.
Keep preaching the uncompromising things from the Word of God! this is very rich. The conviction of the Holy Spirit leaves us with hope. Condemnation (of the enemy) leaves us feeling hopeless - perhaps another piece to write? MarijoMarijo, I think you said a lot...smile... Thanks againClarenceThanks for being bold and sharing the truth in love... what a mandate we have. I think you and I grew up together (in the same era) but not the same state, eh? (class of 1964 for HS and Viet Nam - oh, my...) MarijoClass of 63...VN 63-65, 66 Munich. Motown, Det., Riot, Buses from Detroit, Wayne State to Jackson MIssissippi Marches, Motown, Flower Child, and now, WHEW!Yes, you are correct. ...smile...
Thanks for the sermon, Rev. One that has enlightened my spirit to bring forth a most Holy Spirit, within. May you be Blessed through Christ!~SelahThanks again Ronyae. Of course, you will be blessed also.ClarenceWith Ppl like you in my life, Rev ... I canNOT lose, or go wrong! Thanks.
Good points, Rev, I enjoyed this read. While founded on Judeo-Christian principles, our nation is one of tolerance towards other faiths and beliefs. Of course, it may get us into hotter water than we are already in, but it is what we stand for. May God be with us, however, in what lies ahead because I find the present and the future of our country frightening.Thanks for your thoughts,NancyI do understand. Thanks for the honesty.
Great article! It is so true how many people mindlessly adopt popular philosophies without a thought about why. That is why we have adopted Naturalism and teach it in our schools. Now we are adopting Postmodernism, which is essentially a belief that there is no objective truth. If people started thinking about how to defend their beliefs they would develop true convictions. Good insight!Jim, I appreciate your insight, this is how knowledge is passed along. thanks.
Great article, Dr. Rucker. Although a practicing and try-hard-to-be a faithful Christian, I try hard to be tolerant of other religions. Multicultures, well, I don't know much about that. I don't believe in so called "Holy Wars" and ensuring a person's ticket to Heaven by being a suicidal killer of innocent people. Thanks for a wonderful article.SandraThanks for the comment, Sandra. I do understand.
Great article, Rev. God is so majestic, omnipotent and omnipresent- how can He be limited by humanity?Absolutely!! He created the creation and placed the created in it.
The heat is on - but it is clear that you stand for Something and Someone - namely the Lord Jesus. And what you say is true, though many will attack. Tolerance is different than exceptance. We can live in peace and disagree, but everyone must hold true to their convictions. I believe your message is for those who confess faith in Christ and therefore, we cannot embrace multiple god's or all roads lead to God kind of thinking. It goes against the very nature of who Jesus said he is. Well said. May all those who profess Christ follow Him and only Him. As you quoted Jesus "You are either for me or against me" I say we believe he is who he says he is or we believe he is a raving lunatic of a liar. There is no inbetween. We must make our choice. Excellent article. Blessings to you! TeresaYou are correct, everyone must hold to their convictions...hopefully it is Christ. You Interpreted it very well. Thanks Teresa.
Howdy Dr. Rucker:
Your wonderfully written article has given me food for thought. I agree with your Scripture references of Romans 8:13 and John 14:6. It is too easy to follow the world . . . and too deadly. During my marriage to an Egyptian Muslim many moons ago, I read the Bible alongside the Koran. Jesus won my soul. The only conclusion I could come to was that Jesus IS who He says He is. Like Peter, I may one day be asked of Jesus when I stand before Him "Who do you say I am?" My answer here on earth will have determined my eternal destination. I'm so grateful to Christ that it is faith in Him that has saved me, and not the few good deeds I may be able to muster in this lifetime.
In Christ,
Bonnie Tilly
Bonnie, I am very appreciative. Your comment says; "You have experienced Him for yourself." No one else can touch it. You have to stand on it. Thanks for your comment.
The Word conviction is Latin for the "cause to change" that means the ways of the World is not good because we were born in sin and it will be a constant battle between the Holy Spirit,any the ways of the world.The conviction in your heart is from the Holy Spirit wanting to guide you to make a choice to change it is all up to you.Robert, absolutely! You are so correct and thanks for the comment. The TRUTH will always confirm and affirm itself.
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