Have ever been convicted in your heart? Have you felt overcome with the power of conviction about something? Do you remember what that felt like? Did it move you? Did it put you in motion? Have you felt that way about or within your relationship with God?
Conviction can be a powerful motivator. When we are convicted by a message, it can cause us to take action. Not only action, but a highly motivated action. In many cases, it is a positive action to right a wrong or carry out a good work or simply do the right thing.
Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica that he and those with him had brought a powerful message, the power coming from the Holy Spirit. They didn’t merely speak words, but words filled with power. They spoke words that convicted those who heard them. The power of their words cut through straight to the heart.
We may hear words like that from time-to-time. They may come from a sermon on Sunday morning. They may come at a youth rally. They may come from a friend. When words come from the Holy Spirit, they always come with power and convict the one who hears them.
So, what do we do with those powerful words? Often, they stay with us for a lifetime. They are imprinted on our hearts and minds forever. They are life changing words. We hold onto them. We remember them with fondness. Each time we remember them, we are reinvigorated as if we just heard them for the first time. Think about a message that really touched your heart.
I pray we all listen for those life changing words. I pray we feel the power of the Holy Spirit in a message. I pray each one of us are convicted to follow Jesus through powerful words. Listen for powerful words. Listen for words from the Holy Spirit. Be convicted. Experience a life change.
1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.
Marty Pressey 