Biblical convictions -vs- Personal convictions

1. I don't think so. I believe this is the line where legalism takes root.

2. In essense I believe it is. Some people have over developed sensibilities yet even so the extreme lifestyle Jesus calls us to is submission. And if we believe something is sinful then to us it is thus we must submit ourselves to God in order to be sanctified.

 

Yes, it can be. For instance, it's a personal conviction I am not to cheat on my wife and it is also a biblical conviction. Now if someone took their personal conviction of not getting a tattoo and tried to impose that on me, the answer is no.

Yes if the conviction is biblical...no if it has been a man made conviction adhered to out of ignorance and the struggle with that continues due to it being a habit. I can see a woman coming from IFB feeling guilty on occasion wearing pants after coming to the realization it is not a biblical conviction, but having grown up with that "conviction" for decades it may be hard to break.

 

I like your definitions -- I think they are on track.

1. I don't think so. It's a personal (not Scriptural) conviction. Actually, I wonder if it's ever right to impose a Scriptural conviction on others, especially non-Christians. The true issue is the heart issue.

2. Good question. One might think so. However, if sin is defined by Scripture (not what WE think), then I don't know how something can be if not defined by Scripture.

 

I'd rather divide these two categories like this:

1. Conviction--This would be something that's based upon biblical truths (either expressly stated in God's Word or principles derived from the Bible), and, if necessary, I would be willing to die for.

2. Preference--This would be something that would [hopefully] be based on some Scriptural principle(s), but IMO wouldn't be worth dying for.

EX: I have a conviction on believer's baptism by immersion.

I have a preference about the style(s) of music I enjoy (either at home or in a worship service).

It is sad that a good deal of what passes as a conviction is in reality more of a preference.

 

Music is controversial isn't it?
I have preferences of music in my home.
But I have definite convictions of music in a worship service in the church. You will not be able to move me on those convictions no matter how hard you try. They are not preferences; they are convictions.

 

I've got no problem with your having a conviction about music in a worship service in church....As long as you would be willing to die for it, that's fine with me.

 

I realize the definition that you have come up for "conviction."
I disagree with it. I have been in a nation where people die for their faith almost on a daily basis. If a Muslim converts to Christianity they immediately face a death sentence by their own family.

There are many convictions I have; not preferences but convictions. But that does not mean I am willing to die for them. There are some weak individuals that under stress could not stand up and bear the Savior's name under severe torture. Are you sure you could?

Remember Peter? I will never deny thee!

 

I see your point.

I wouldn't be so presumptious to say ahead of time that I would never break under the stress of bodily torture for my convictions because so far I've never had to do so.

I would hope that God would give me the grace and strength to endure it if it comes to that, but until such a time actually comes to pass, that's all I can say about the matter.

My point is that I honestly believe that a lot of what people call a "conviction" is actually a "preference." (Or maybe as Salty put it a "Leadership Judgment Conviction.")

 

I think it is good to share our personal convictions, but perhaps not to impose (thrust) them on others.

I think when we violate our own convictions, we condemn ourselves, we bring doubt upon ourselves in doing this, and we compromise our confidence before God.

When I moved to the Midwest from Ohio, I learned that shorts are wrong, movies are wrong, dancing is wrong, an alcoholic beverage is wrong, playing cards is wrong, "public bathing" (swimming) is wrong, "canned" music is wrong, "alien" immersion is wrong, pants on women are wrong, and many more things that are wrong. It became Pharisaical, really.

Then I saw my Professors from College engaging in these things, while in School, at the same time I was.

I never believed all these "rules" anyhow. They are the commandments and traditions of men, and of our culture. They are not eternal truth.

- Peace