Read John 16:8-11. Circle the words that stand out to you. What is the Lord saying to you?
8 When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.
Reflections on the Word.
John 16:8-11 is rich in thoughts that are easily overlooked. For some Christians they believe that the Holy Spirit has not to come on them and is waiting for Him. Scripture informs us that the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. If you’re praying to receive the Holy Spirit, be assured that your prayers have been already answered! He is forever with us and in us on the day when we trusted Jesus Christ as our Savior.
Here, the text states that the Holy Spirit will do three things in this world: convict the unbeliever of sin, righteousness and judgment. “When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.”
Sometimes, we think that we are the ones who need to convict the world of sins. We feel the need to make people acknowledge and confess their every past sin so that they’ll see their need for the Savior. As a result, we are often apt to quickly point out and condemn the sinful attitudes and behaviors in other people. We become the Prosecutor of Sins!
I believe that this attitude and understanding is wrong. Jesus declared that the Holy Spirit is the Prosecutor, not us. He is the One who searches the hearts and minds of people and exposes their thoughts and inner feelings. As Christians, we are unable to look into the heart and mind of a person, but the Spirit of God searches and knows all things. He is able to “read” the person clearly and discern every intention. For Him, there is no misinterpretation of person’s motives or thoughts. Unlike the Holy Spirit, we don’t know the full situation of a person. Thus, it is not our responsibility or role to convict an unbeliever of their sin.
The Holy Spirit is the One who convicts, but what does He convict people of? The text states that He convicts the world of sin, singular, and that particular sin is not believing in Jesus, verse 9. The Spirit of God convicts them regarding the Gospel of Salvation that Jesus has provided to each of us. When we share the Gospel of Salvation, the Holy Spirit is there actively convicting that person of his or her need of the Savior. If that person choses to reject the message of salvation, the Holy Spirit will one day be a witness of it.
For those who reject God and Christ’s work of salvation, their rejection of Jesus will condemn them as well as their personal sins. They will admit one day before the Great White Throne Judgment that they rejected Him who sits on that throne for they Holy Spirt will testify of their free choice. Yes, there will be a conviction of sins that as occurred in their hearts, minds, and actions, but the focus is on not believing in Him.
We are not to be the Prosecutor of Sins in this world. We are to be Proclaimers of Salvation to this world. The Holy Spirit is the One who will convict men and women of their response to the Savior of this world. Let’s proclaim the Good News of Salvation and leave the conviction to the Holy Spirit.
-Kingston
PS. You can dig deeper into Righteousness and Judgment on your own. I believe God has something more for you to see in His Word.