Conviction

This has been my word of the last few weeks. Webster’s dictionary defines it as a strong persuasion or belief or the state of being convinced. I’ve been convicted in not only my spiritual life, but as well as in my recovery and in relationships.

I believe that a conviction is something that God has laid on your heart that He specifically wants you to abide by, whether it being something he wants you to do or something that he doesn’t want you to do. And then comes the time when Satan tricks you into thinking that there is a gray area in life…the area he says where there are no set rules and the lines between right and wrong become blurred. Man, that is such a lie as Satan is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

I’ve always had the conviction that God wants me to stay pure before marriage. As I’ve grown up, I’ve been through purity classes and done the True Love Waits bible study. But when you’re not in a relationship, it doesn’t hit home with you. I have two close friends who are getting married soon and I find myself really admiring the strong, pure relationships that they have with their fiancés.They both know that sex before their wedding day is not an option and they are able to honor and respect each other’s wishes. As I compare their relationships to those around me who haven’t waited, I see a huge difference. Those who chose not to wait are not as happy, their relationship is so much more complicated and rocky. In all my relationships, I want trust and honor, and not the rockiness and drama, for lack of a better word.

I didn't mean to make this blog about me getting on a soapbox and preaching about pre-marital sex.

Lately, my conviction regarding purity has really been tested. Luckily, I have amazing people around me who let me know that I’m headed down the wrong path. Even though I didn’t want to hear it and it was hard to accept that me, me of all people, was being tempted into things that were not healthy and honoring God. The relationship that has tested my conviction is very rocky and I know that you are reading this thinking she’s on the soapbox again..I’m just trying to figure out what’s best for the both of us, regardless of the emotions that get in the way. I have no idea where we will go from here, but in a relationship, both people have to make decisions based on their faith and morals and stick to them.

I see why and how it’s so easy for someone just to give in and say forget it, my conviction(s) are not that important. I used to look down on people who had sex before they were married, but it can happen to anyone. But one thing that I’m learning is that if I have anything, I have my convictions, and I know the difference between right and wrong.

I’m not going to go into much more detail but please, please stick to your convictions. If they weren’t right and from God/of God, they wouldn’t be convictions..

This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more; that you will have knowledge and understanding with your love; that you will see the difference between good and bad and will choose the good; that you will be pure and without wrong for the coming of Christ; that you will be filled with the good things produced in your life by Christ to bring glory and praise to God. (Philippians 1:9-11)