Power to Convict

Jesus said, “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; of sin because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” (Jn. 16:8-11 NKJV)

This passage tells us the Holy Spirit uses His power to convict and to change people’s minds. First, He reveals sin by revealing the person of Jesus Christ. Without Jesus we might try to justify our thoughts and actions; in the light of Jesus’ perfection, however, we recognize our nature as sinful.

Second, the Holy Spirit reveals righteousness and purity by revealing Jesus’ position in Heaven. Because Jesus is with the Father He intercedes for us, and His victory over sin becomes our victory over sin.

Finally, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of judgment by giving us understanding of Jesus as our victorious Lord and Savior and by exposing Satan as a defeated prince. When we see Jesus in heavenly splendor, we recognize Satan as a deceiver.

The Holy Spirit is God’s arm on earth today. Everything He does points to Jesus.

Originally published November 15, 1991.