Two Types of Guilt: Conviction vs Condemnation

“As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

Here Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian Church, makes an extremely important distinction for us all – that is the difference between “worldly grief” and “godly grief”. The former produces death, he says, but the latter leads to salvation!

In this blog we want to look at these types of sorrow or as I’ve put it, “Guilt”. For the sake of this blog we will talk about godly sorrow/ guilt as “Conviction” and we will refer to worldly sorrow/ guilt as “Condemnation”*. 

Condemnation (Worldly Grief)

“Act of pronouncing someone guilty after weighing the evidence.” (Holman’s Bible Dictionary)

Greek - Katakrima:  “damnatory sentence”

Condemnation results in despair not hope. It loudly and obnoxiously tells us about the problem but gives no solution or tries to make you forget that there is a solution. This is not the type of guilt that comes from the cross: 

“For God so loved the world,[fn] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

Jesus and the two criminals on the crosses at Calvary were condemned by the Romans. The second criminal recognized that he was worthy of the condemnation but that Jesus was innocent: 

“One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him,[fn] saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:39-42

Once we have repented as a result of our godly sorrow/ guilt it is covered by the blood of Jesus and washed away. We need never think of it again. Yet it is clear that we have an Enemy that loves nothing more than to condemn or “accuse” us for things that are already under the blood of Jesus. He wants us to live in this negative, toxic and tormenting world of condemnation which will hinder our joy in Christ and our effectiveness for Him. 

“And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers[fn] has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:9-11

Conviction (Godly Grief)

“A sense of guilt and shame leading to repentance.” (Holman’s Bible Dictionary) 

Greek - Elencho:  "to convict, confute, refute"

Conviction results in hope not despair. It calmly but consistently and firmly reminds us that we have unrepentant sin in our lives and continually offers the solution – the cross of Christ:

 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7-9

Jesus reminded his disciples that the Helper (that is the Holy Spirit) would come and “convict” the world:

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…” 

John 16:7-8

Jesus Himself convicts us. The greek word “elencho” is here translated as “reprove”:

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” Revelation 3:19

It is so very important to distinguish between these two types of guilt – these two very different “voices” in our hearts. Whereas the devil is angry and accusatory and wants to lead you to misery, the Holy Spirit has a “still small voice” and wants to lead you to abundant life!

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” 

Romans 8:1-2

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*The words “convict” and “condemn” are used in various ways in the Bible but the principle of distinguishing godly sorrow from worldly sorrow is clearly taught throughout Scripture.