When the still, small voice of the Spirit convicts, you can be certain there will always be rich grace that accompanies it. 

You can also be certain the enemy will try to rail against it. 

How will he do this? 

Self-condemnation, of course. He lost a battle when you fell on your face before Jesus.

There’s a sacred humility in your repentant heart that cries out for something outside of yourself; the forgiveness of our Savior. 

He needs to get you back to yourself.

The enemy is warped enough to turn repentance into self-condemnation, making you so disgusted with yourself that you miss what Christ did for you. 

Self-condemnation feels strangely cathartic and may produce a discipline that looks like love for Jesus; deep down, it’s a set of rules to keep yourself in check.  

Gratitude for our Lord Jesus produces love and adoration for our King. Gratitude produces transformation. 

Self-condemnation can look like a life lived for Jesus. But self-condemnation won’t carry anyone through the desert places of faith; gratitude will. Your love for King Jesus will. 

Every realization of grace is an opportunity for self-condemnation or gratitude. 

Choose gratitude. 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2.)