[insert your life here]

It is entirely possible to go about our days in blissful ignorance of any errors we may be committing. No one likes to be told they have done or are doing something wrong. For me, it's like being thrown out of the window on the abbey's third floor. Conviction is a bitter taste in our semi-sweet lives but entirely necessary. Proverbs 3:11-12 says,

"My son, do not make light of
the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose hear when
he rebukes you,
because the Lord disciplines
those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he
accepts as a son."

(qtd. from Heb 12:5-6, emphasis mine)

If we don't acknowledge the errors in our lives how will we ever change? Conviction is necessary if we are to grow more into the likeness of Jesus Christ our model and master. If you're too afraid of being convicted so as to avoid ever being convicted how will you ever grow?

The initial pain of conviction is like dancing in a sticker bush, you get caught by the thorns and wounded. In time, however, God will heal those wounds and make you wiser. You probably won't go about dancing in sticker bushes anymore.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

The Prequel: Hebrews 12:1-13

any other thoughts?