The Significance of Conviction

Conviction as a value is the attitude of acknowledging or accepting a mistake or sin followed by an act of repentance. It is listening to the dictates of conscience resulting to enlightenment and realization that something must be corrected in an area of life. It is responding rightly to the truth when the area of weakness or improvement is confronted. It is best facilitated by welcoming the pure word of correction rather than fighting against it.
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Most people do not recognize the benefits of conviction which are extant every time conviction is thoroughly at work such as promotion and growth. They thought it is much easier to make excuses in order to save face or inappropriately protect their reputation. They did not realize that the more they reason out, the more they are closing the door for development and progress to their loss and detriment. Worse, they retaliate and attack the person who became the channel of conviction. In effect, the wrong is perpetrated rather than being addressed.

One of the deep frustrations and great disappointments of some teachers of reformation is the lack of transformation among the learners. They overlooked the absence of conviction as the major hindrance of the positive result they aim to achieve. The key to resolve it is to ensure that the word of truth is planted into the hearts of the listeners. It is not just feeding the minds but it is convicting the hearts with the help of the Almighty God. It is written that when God comes or works in our behalf, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

The value of conviction, thus, is a material ingredient for individual change and it plays an important role in the quest for national transformation. It is an essential tool in the fight against corruption and any form of evil in society. Zacchaeus, a public figure in the olden times, was a living proof of this. He was known as a chief tax collector who allegedly became rich by employing false accusations or any lying and deceitful schemes in the collection of taxes. People regarded him as a sinner for being in such craft for a long time. However, he heeded the conviction of his heart and responded accordingly. He gave half of his goods to the poor and if he has taken anything from anyone by false accusation, he vowed to restore fourfold.

Conviction was also well illustrated in the story of the prodigal son in the Scriptures. According to the story, the son squandered all the possessions his father gave him and went to a wayward living. When all his wealth was exhausted and started to starve, he came to himself and decided to go back to his father. “Coming to himself” means coming to his senses. It means heeding his conscience and having the value of conviction in his life. By doing so, apart from his expectation, he was warmly received by his father and was restored back to his original position as a son.

Learning from the example of the prodigal son, how many of us learn and courageously admit our mistakes and endeavor to correct or make reparation of the wrongs that we have done? Let us not be mindful of the comments of others. Let us be mindful of the blessings that await us by obeying the conviction of our hearts. ​(NAS, CRFV)