Convictions Paper
Convictions Paper
Joe McFadden
Christian Excellence CM 3001
Professor Rick Saylor
November 19, 2010
Convictions are defined as: 1. An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence. 2. (Criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed; "the conviction came as no surprise". 3. The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or adjudging, guilty of an offense. 4. A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal 5. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation 6. The state of being convinced or convicted; strong persuasion or belief; especially, the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience. .[Websters]
As we look at convictions in our lives it is important for us to discern where those convictions are rooted and based. Not all convictions are always rooted in God. Some convictions are little more than superstitions which are based on a notion or illusion. There is a distinct difference between feelings and conviction.... Feelings are defined as, "an awareness of something; a notion or belief not based on reason; emotions rather than intellect." We need to be sure that we are grounded in what God tells us. There are many voices that we hear; of these we have the voice of self, the voice of the world, and the voice of God. We should be able to determine whether the convictions we hold true to us and follow are from God or another voice. This only becomes possible by knowing God’s voice from the other voices we hear on a regular basis. The bible tells us “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27 Amplified Bible) I cannot personally recall a time when I held convictions that were not in line with God’s word but there have been times in my life
Joe McFadden
Christian Excellence CM 3001
Professor Rick Saylor
November 19, 2010
Convictions are defined as: 1. An unshakable belief in something without need for proof or evidence. 2. (Criminal law) a final judgment of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed; "the conviction came as no surprise". 3. The act of convicting; the act of proving, finding, or adjudging, guilty of an offense. 4. A judgment of condemnation entered by a court having jurisdiction; the act or process of finding guilty, or the state of being found guilty of any crime by a legal tribunal 5. The act of convincing of error, or of compelling the admission of a truth; confutation 6. The state of being convinced or convicted; strong persuasion or belief; especially, the state of being convicted of sin, or by one's conscience. .[Websters]
As we look at convictions in our lives it is important for us to discern where those convictions are rooted and based. Not all convictions are always rooted in God. Some convictions are little more than superstitions which are based on a notion or illusion. There is a distinct difference between feelings and conviction.... Feelings are defined as, "an awareness of something; a notion or belief not based on reason; emotions rather than intellect." We need to be sure that we are grounded in what God tells us. There are many voices that we hear; of these we have the voice of self, the voice of the world, and the voice of God. We should be able to determine whether the convictions we hold true to us and follow are from God or another voice. This only becomes possible by knowing God’s voice from the other voices we hear on a regular basis. The bible tells us “The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27 Amplified Bible) I cannot personally recall a time when I held convictions that were not in line with God’s word but there have been times in my life
References: Websters Online Dictionary. (2010). Definition of conviction. Retrieved on Novemeber, 19, 2010 from: http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/definitions/conviction?cx=partner-pub-0939450753529744:v0qd01-tdlq&cof=FORID:9&ie=UTF-8&q=conviction&sa=Search#906