If you’re anything like me, when someone criticizes you or confronts you, you take on a defensive posture. That sort of reaction, as we all know, merely drives our heels more deeply into the ground of our stubbornness and pride—moving us away from a place of confession and owning up to our sin (Psalm 51:1).
On the other hand, when someone lovingly, humbly, and gently corrects us within the context of a meaningful, intimate relationship, we are more likely to be open-hearted about adjusting our behaviors. We may even be apologetic and ask for forgiveness!
One of the main things that the Holy Spirit does in our lives is convict us of sin (John 16:8). Because sin is so embarrassing and awkward, the Holy Spirit is gentle, humble, and meek when he tugs at our hearts with impulses of conviction. He’s always a gentleman when correcting us because we have to be willing to cooperate with his healing work in our lives if the change is going to be lasting.
Unfortunately, the gentle ways of the Holy Spirit often get misinterpreted to mean that our sin isn’t all that bad. That is, we have a tendency to think that the gentle tug of the Holy Spirit corresponds to the gravity of our sin that he’s trying to correct in us. At the same time, we also have a tendency to always underestimate the seriousness of our sin and the urgency of our correction. It’s just a part of our nature. Sadly, for most of us, it takes a hit over the head with a cement block to internalize the gravity of our sin to the point of seriously considering making a change (i.e., repentance).
This reminds me of when Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed. He’s teaching people not to underestimate what God is doing because of its humble beginnings. Yes, it starts as something small, gentle, quiet, humble, and unassuming, but it slowly grows into an unstoppable, cosmic force.
This being the case, I’m inclined to think that when the Holy Spirit gently convicts us, it’s because he has great plans for us. We have to be careful not to underestimate the quiet, unassuming impulses of conviction in our hearts. These subtle senses of convictions, when obeyed in each moment over time, leads to the great manifestation of the righteousness and glory of God in our midst. When that happens, Jesus’s prayer that “…Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…” becomes a reality.
God’s plan for our lives, then, must be to reflect his righteousness and glory into the world—this is the stuff for which we’re made.
