The Convicting Word

One of the dangers always present within the community of those who trust in Christ is the rise of an inner community of the spiritual elite.  The spiritual elite were present in Jesus' day.  They contested His every move, documented His every word, and in the end, saw themselves as being spiritually superior to the One who came from the Father.  And while the spiritually elite may not be so bold as to make such claims today, they are quick to point out how their level of spirituality surpasses the run of the mill saints like most of us.    

To be honest is to acknowledge that spiritual elitism is a danger for all of us.  It is easy to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, to see ourselves at a better place than the common sinner, and to figure that God's favor rest on us in a way it does not rest on most folks.  This unseen danger is always out there and unless we are constantly depending on the Holy Spirit, we are likely to be overtaken by it.    

The Holy Spirit who abides in us seeks to keep us honest.  He does not just seek to grow good things like love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness in us, but He also seeks to guide us into truth and to speak a convicting word when we are tempted to think more highly of ourselves than we ought.  (John 16:8,13)  What some might speak of as conscience is really the Spirit of God at work in us seeking to keep our feet on the path that takes us to a place of honest self awareness and a realization that without the power of God present in us, we will surely walk the road toward self destruction.