Examining the Heart: Conviction, Choices, and Outcomes in Faith

Fellow believes, I wish to remind you today that when the Holy Spirit prompts a conviction in our hearts, it is not necessarily signaling a misstep or transgression against the Lord. These convictions often arrive as questions, as gentle prods meant to delve deeper into the inner recesses of our hearts and the motivations behind our choices (Hebrews 4:12).

Imagine for a moment, a decision you have to make - perhaps it's accepting a new job offer. On the surface, the choice seems perfectly legitimate. However, the Holy Spirit nudges you, prodding you to scrutinize your motives. Are you considering this new role out of love for what you do, a desire to serve others more effectively, or are you drawn to the high salary, the prestige, the allure of gratifying the flesh?

In Galatians 5:16-17, Apostle Paul reminds us of the ongoing battle between our fleshly desires and the Spirit's guidance. He says, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." If your motives seem to be leaning more towards self-gratification, the Spirit's conviction is there to highlight the potential flaw in the decision.

The job offer itself isn't inherently wrong. But, if it's accepted based on wrong motives, it could potentially result in an outcome that strays from God's divine plan for us (Proverbs 14:12).

As believers, we are called to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We should trust in God's wisdom, not solely our understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our decisions, so He can guide us along the right paths (Proverbs 3:5-6). When our choices are founded on faith, love, and obedience to God's Word, they align with His divine purposes, and the outcomes are likely to be more fulfilling.

So, dear friends, let us not view the Holy Spirit's conviction as a reprimand, but as a divine tool for self-examination and spiritual growth. As we examine our hearts, we open up for God's love to saturate every decision we make. In doing so, we move towards achieving outcomes that not only bring us satisfaction but glorify our Heavenly Father.

Psalm 139:23-24 beautifully illustrates this, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

Let this be our prayer as we navigate our life's choices. By listening to the Holy Spirit's convictions and examining our hearts, we can ensure our decisions are rooted in faith, radiating love, and are pleasing to God. This way, we foster spiritual growth and alignment with the divine plan God has for us.