If Christians Have the Same Holy Spirit, Why Do We Have Different Convictions?
- Clarence L. Haynes Jr. Contributing Writer
- Updated Oct 29, 2023
A conviction is a firmly held belief or opinion. With Christians, you might think that since we serve the same Jesus, we would have the same convictions. While this may be true of some believers, it is not true of them all. There are many things Christians don’t share the same opinion on. You might wonder how this can be if Christians have the same Holy Spirit. Why do we have different convictions? You may be happy to know (maybe not) that Scripture allows us the possibility of having different convictions. This should not cause a problem, but sometimes it does. That’s why it’s important to know why we have different convictions and how we should deal with them.
Here are four reasons Christians can have the same Holy Spirit and different convictions:
1. All Convictions Are Not Created Equal
The first way to understand how Christians can have the same Holy Spirit but have different convictions is to recognize all convictions don’t carry the same weight. They are not created equal. You can divide convictions into two camps. There are essential convictions and non-essential convictions. Essential convictions are those beliefs that are fundamental to the Christian faith. If you change them, then you turn Christianity into something else. For example, if you don’t believe Jesus is Lord and that he was raised from the dead, there is no hope of salvation through Christ. I would consider that essential. Convictions like these don’t allow room for any differences. Within our faith, there are many convictions that fall into this category. Among them are salvation by grace, creation, and the deity of Jesus, just to name a few.
Non-essential convictions are those that are not essential to the faith. Holding on to a non-essential conviction does not affect Christianity or your salvation. They may be important to you, and you should keep them, but they don’t change Christianity. In these cases, it is okay if someone has a different point of view. These may include things like drinking alcohol, dancing, or listening to secular music, and this is just a small sample size. There are things the Bible does not expressly forbid; therefore, people can view them differently.
It is possible to have powerful convictions about the non-essentials, and many people do. However, because they are non-essential, it is important to leave room for different opinions. While it is critical that we agree on the essentials, that is not a requirement of the non-essentials. It is only within the non-essentials that Christians can have the same Holy Spirit and have different convictions.
2. Christians Have Different Weaknesses
Another reason Christians have different convictions is because we are not all tempted by the same sins. Everyone has an area of weakness that if we don’t guard against it, we can be prone to fall into sin. There are some temptations that pull you while others don’t even catch your attention. Because the Holy Spirit is aware of our makeup, he will often create in us a conviction in an area where we are prone to be tempted. This can even be a conviction regarding something that is not sinful, but he knows it is not in your best interest to engage.
I was having a conversation with someone after church one Sunday, and they shared with me they don’t listen to secular music. The reason they don’t is that when they hear it, the music draws them back to their old lifestyle. This connection between the music and their old life created in them a firm conviction. They concluded they will not listen to secular music. For them, it was not in their best interest, and they chose to avoid it.
For all of us, there are things that can trigger us and entice us towards sin or other thoughts and behaviors. While these things might be okay for others, the Holy Spirit may warn you that these things are not okay for you.
3. Christians Are at Different Places of Maturity
“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything builds up. 1 Corinthians 10:23 (CSB)
One thing you will notice as you grow in maturity is how your convictions regarding non-essentials may change. Many times, they change because even though they may be permissible, you no longer see the benefit in doing them. This can apply to a variety of convictions. As you draw closer to Christ, he changes your appetites. Things that might have been important to you, you may find you no longer have any desire for. This does not just refer to sinful things but other things that are not necessarily bad, but God still leads you away from them. Your growing relationship with Jesus overshadows these things, and sometimes, you just let them go.
4. Christians Are at Different Places of Influence
We all have a certain level of influence. With more influence comes greater responsibility because each decision you make can affect other people. For this reason, you may develop a set of convictions that may differ from someone who has less influence. You may even avoid certain activities so you don’t become a stumbling block to others. Sometimes your convictions are in place not just for your benefit alone but for the sake of others.
How do you deal with other Christians when your convictions don’t align?
Determine If it Is an Essential or Non-essential Conviction
As Christians, we must find common ground on essential convictions. However, a common mistake people make is they treat non-essential convictions as though they should apply to everyone. Since they feel this way, then everyone else should, too. This thinking can easily lead to division. I have people who have literally stopped communicating with me because they did not like the version of scripture I teach from. Even though my doctrine was correct, they could not get past the version of the Bible I used. While it is okay to have strong convictions, we cannot divide over convictions that are not detrimental to the faith.
I have a strong conviction about alcohol, and I choose not to drink it. Yet, I know Christians who may have a glass of wine with their meal or drink a cold beer while watching a football game. In this situation, they are not getting drunk, nor are they doing anything that does not bring honor to the Lord. While it may not be what I would do, I cannot hold them to my conviction. This requires me to have grace because their conviction is different and not drive a wedge between us because I may not agree.
Allow These 4 Principles from Romans 14 to Guide You
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." Romans 14:13-19
From these verses, here are four things to do:
- Don’t pass judgment (Romans 14:13).
- Don’t put a stumbling block in their way (Romans 14:13).
- Act in love towards your brother or sister (Romans 14:15).
- Do what leads to peace and mutual edification (Romans 14:19).
Let’s face the reality that we will not see everything the same way. That is okay. There is no need to fret over it, and we definitely should not divide over it either. We need to let our love for God and love for each other overshadow every non-essential conviction. When this happens, then different convictions won’t trip us up or divide us and we can maintain unity in the body of Christ.
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