INTRODUCTION

One of the greatest misconceptions of conviction is that one man can bring it upon another man. While it is true that one man can proclaim the truth to another, only the Holy Spirit of God can open another man’s heart and convince him of the truth being spoken (Acts 16:14And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
See All...). Even when the scriptures declare that Apollos convinced the people that Jesus was Christ, the Bible student understands that he did so only by the help of the Holy Spirit (Acts 18:28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
See All...). Man is only responsible for giving the truth and doing so in a scriptural manner; God is the only one that can take that word and make it effectual in the hearts of the hearers.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Even though Paul preached the truth to Felix (Acts 24:24-25 [24] And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. [25] And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
  See All...) and Agrippa (Acts 26:21-28 [21] For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. [22] Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: [23] That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. [24] And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. [25] But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. [26] For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. [27] King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. [28] Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
  See All...), only the Holy Spirit could convince them of sin (2 Corinthians 4:6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
  See All...). Compare Paul's experience with the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:23-34 [23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. [25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. [26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. [27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. [28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. [29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, [30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? [31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. [32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. [33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. [34] And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
  See All...).
• How did the Spirit of God bring conviction in your heart as a lost person in need of salvation? How has He since used the same Bible to convict you of carnal living?
• Why is it important to realize that you cannot bring conviction upon another individual? How should we pray for the Lord’s working in those to whom we preach the gospel?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to convict those who are lost.
• Ask God to convict you when you are unwilling to witness.

HYMN

Take Time to Be Holy

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