EXPOSE | Moving from ideas to action
“Conviction is the driving force that transforms belief into action. It’s the unwavering commitment to truth and principle that enables us to navigate the complexities of life with purpose and integrity. Without conviction, our beliefs remain mere ideas, but with it, they become the catalyst for positive change in our lives and the world around us.” – D.A. Carson
EXPLORE | Understanding conviction
Picture Winston Churchill, the iconic British statesman, during the darkest days of World War II. As he stepped up to the podium, the world held its breath. In the midst of relentless bombings and the looming Nazi threat, Churchill delivered his resolute speeches with unwavering conviction.
His famous words, “We shall never surrender,” echoed through the hearts of a nation and reverberated across history. Churchill’s conviction in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds served as a guiding light for his nation and the world. It’s a testament to the extraordinary power of conviction to inspire, lead, and transform.
Just as Churchill’s convictions inspired a nation, the right convictions can guide us toward a life of purpose, resilience, and fulfillment.
This brings to mind the old adage, “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Remember the Dwarfs from The Lord of the Rings? Truly, size does not matter.
“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”
– Galadriel, a royal Elf from the film adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien
Our convictions, no matter how small we may feel, can have a monumental impact on the world.
When I say conviction, I don’t just mean that we ‘feel strongly’ about something. Obviously, we can feel strongly about any number of things that are not true. Having a conviction; being convinced, is the conclusion of a process whereby the evidence has been considered and the correct judgment has been made based on that evidence.
In other words: “yada, yada, yada, and therefore I am convinced.”
I just recently came across a quote that further emphasizes my point. I borrowed the book, The Genius Life (a book on healthy living) from the library and found this on page 35:
“Truth is singular. Its ‘versions’ are mistruths.”
David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas (his book from 2004)
The truth is exclusive. It’s this one, not those; or any other. Because they’re not true. The truth is.
Conviction is not merely a passing belief or a fleeting emotion (however strongly felt); it’s an unshakable and deeply held belief–grounded in truth–that serves as a compass for our life’s decisions and actions. It’s the unwavering faith in your the right values and principles that give us confidence–assurance.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
That is only possible if our conviction stands firmly and squarely on what is true.
Dr. Constable included this reference from Charles Hodge in his commentary on Hebrews 11:1. Hodge defined faith in this verse as: “…not blind, irrational assent, but an intelligent reception of the truth on adequate grounds.” Conviction is the belief that one is standing on something strong; our basis for trust is sure. This is why we have the confidence to take action, as D.A. Carson’s quote affirms.
Having the confidence of conviction will aid us in at least three ways:
- Provides a Sense of Purpose: Convictions provide us with a profound sense of purpose. They give meaning to our lives by aligning our actions with what is true, making each day purposeful and fulfilling.
- Guides Us in Decision-Making: Strong convictions act as a moral compass, helping us make ethical and principled decisions even in the face of uncertainty.
- Builds Resilience and Endurance: When the winds of change blow, convictions are the sturdy anchors that keep us grounded. They provide the resilience needed to face challenges head-on.
EXECUTE | Steps to developing biblical conviction
Developing a biblical conviction is a profound and spiritually rich part of our journey. It’s not just about forming opinions; it’s about aligning our beliefs and values with the timeless truths found in the Bible.
“Conviction is not something that comes to us automatically. It is the product of spiritual growth and discipline. It is nurtured by the study of the Bible, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.”
Carl F. H. Henry
Here are several factors in our working through a process of developing conviction:
- Be willing to change. You may be wrong, despite how you feel. Developing biblical convictions often requires us to change our thinking, our behavior, and even our lifestyle. This can be a difficult process, but it is essential for spiritual growth. Be willing to shape your convictions around Scripture rather than making Scripture fit your preexisting opinions. Approach the Bible with a posture of humility, recognizing that our understanding is finite and that God’s truth is infinite.
- Make a commitment to the authority of the Bible. In order to develop biblical convictions, we need to embrace the significance of proper hermeneutics, which is the science of interpreting the Bible. It means that we are to carefully and responsibly approach the understanding of the historical, cultural, and contexts of the Scriptures. This ensures that convictions are rooted in a solid understanding of the biblical text. The Bible is the inspired word of God and it is the ultimate authority for all matters of faith and practice.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. The Holy Spirit is the one who convicts us of sin, leads us to repentance, and empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God. Prayer is a vital companion on this journey of developing conviction, as we seek divine guidance and illumination, asking for the Holy Spirit’s wisdom to grasp the deeper truths of the Word.
- Move from knowledge to action. Biblical convictions are not just intellectual beliefs but are to be lived out in compassion, love, and service to others. Living out what we learn will keep this from becoming an intellectual exercise, as we help others understand and apply biblical wisdom in their lives.
- Iron sharpens iron. I had a professor at Moody Bible Institute say, “Iron sharpens iron… jello sharpens nothing.” I have always wanted to make that into a t-shirt. It makes the point that we don’t do any sharpening if we’re jello, and, that we should seek out community and discipleship that nurtures personal and spiritual growth.
- Be patient. Developing biblical convictions takes time and effort. It is not something that happens overnight. Therefore, it is important to be patient and to persevere in our efforts.
In many ways, this world conspires to blow us off course. When we develop biblical convictions we are best able to resist those winds, navigate life’s twists and turns, and shape our beliefs, character, and actions in a way that reflects the love and grace of Christ.
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Further reading:
Forget passion, find intense conviction
Develop strong convictions; get to know the Bible
How to develop conviction in Christ
Personal convictions
Developing biblical convictions
Develop conviction
Photo by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash