John 16:8
When He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
In this passage, Jesus speaks a hard but necessary truth to His disciples. He tells them that when ‘He’, i.e., the Holy Spirit, comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. This isn’t merely a call to repentance, but a deep, internal conviction that presses into the soul. It’s not a one-time experience; it’s a lifelong walk of awareness, guided by the Spirit, that reveals our condition and guides us to transformation.
The Spirit convicts of sin by highlighting unbelief in Jesus Christ (John 16:9). At the core of sin is a rejection of God’s love and provision, as noted in John 3:16, where belief leads to life. Sin does not simply involve bad behaviour; it reflects a life lived without God and a refusal to acknowledge our need for Him. The Spirit reveals this truth to guide us toward repentance and faith, not to induce despair.
The Spirit convicts of righteousness because Jesus returned to the Father (John 16:10). His sinlessness and divine authority highlight one key thing. True righteousness is about aligning with Christ’s character in daily choices – kindness, integrity, and purity. The Holy Spirit calls us to embody sincere righteousness, not just outward piety.
The Spirit convicts us of judgment, revealing that the ruler of this world is already condemned (John 16:11). This truth confronts us directly. While Satan deceives, God pronounces His judgment. Those who choose darkness face the same outcome. This truth aims to awaken us rather than scare us into obedience. The Spirit’s conviction presents a clear choice: pursue righteousness or face judgment.
This message feels heavy as it confronts us, perhaps when we least want to be disturbed. However, it also brings a sense of freedom. Remember that we are not alone on this journey. The Holy Spirit walks with us, corrects, calls, and transforms us.
We have a daily choice: to remain indifferent or to walk the path of Christ. We may not be perfect, but we can pursue righteousness, not the self-made, worldly kind, but the kind that Jesus embodied. That is the righteousness the Spirit forms in us, if only we listen.
