In John 16:8 Jesus says he will send the Spirit to convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgment. Elsewhere in John the word “convict” is translated “exposed” (John 3:20). Jesus is saying the Spirit will expose the world’s rebellion. That is part of Spirit-powered sanctification. He turns on the lights so we can see what we have been blind to.
Have you ever been in a room in your house, or in the attic or garage, and you flip on the light switch and the floor moves? Not a good feeling. No one likes to be surprised by little rodents or insects or snakes scurrying beneath you. Why does that happen? Why do they run away so vigorously? Because someone turned on the lights. They want to be in the dark. They want to be hidden. They have no desire to be out in the open. Sin is like that too. People love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19). This is what happens when you really preach with conviction and when God works in your life with conviction. Rats of sin are going to scurry. Cockroaches are going to run up the walls and look for a dark place to hide. Sin does not want to be in the light. But it is the mercy of God to shine a spotlight nonetheless. That is part of what you are trying to do when you teach and preach. You are shining a giant spotlight on sin.
Here is a prayer that God has always answered in my life—sometimes a week later, sometimes a day later, sometimes five minutes later—“Lord, show me my sin.” He will always answer that prayer. I’ve prayed it before saying, “God, I don’t know if I mean it, but I want to mean it, so I’m praying it again. Please show me my sin.” Ask him to turn the lights on. The Spirit exposes sin.
Leeman, J., Mohler, A., Jr, Anyabwile, T., Platt, D., DeYoung, K., Dever, M., … Mohler, R. A., Jr. (2014). The underestimated gospel. Nashville: B&H.
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