Developing Personal Conviction

Personal conviction is becoming fully persuaded in your heart and mind, about something. This often takes time and study, thinking about the topic or issue and turning ideas over and over to assess it from different angles. Study of things from the Word of God is imperative and not just for students or teachers. In this busy society, we must choose to make time to do this or it will not happen. The tendency is to just believe what a “good teacher” says. It is the responsibility for each believer, as we will all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and will be accountable for the works we do. Our actions come from what we think and believe. Our spouse, teacher, or pastor will NOT be there with us when we are judged. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)

A vital study insight is to develop personal conviction as you hear sermons or listen to messages. To make a doctrine your own, meditate on various viewpoints, look up the passage and context for yourself, and search out related words or verses. Think on things in their context as Paul instructs in Philippians 4:8, facilitating personal conviction. Romans 14:5b says: “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” As you assess and prove facets of the teaching, mere data in the mind transitions from head knowledge into a confident heart reliance, enabling you to be zealously persuaded to live it.

As a young shepherd, David had much time to meditate upon God’s Word. He acquired a deep, core trust in the Lord; becoming a man after God’s own heart. (Acts 13:22) This carried him through his life journey. David’s ministry seemed to begin when he confidently confronted Goliath the giant: “Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand. ” (I Sam. 17:45-46a) Think on this for your own walk; think out of the box!