Holy Spirit Conviction

“When He [the Holy Spirit] has come, He will convict the world of …judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” [1]

The ruler of this world is judged. Jesus calls the devil the ruler of this world. The devil rules via his agents of mayhem, fraud, and deception. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit convinces the world that the devil is judged. His days are numbered. His reign of terror shall expire. All who have served him shall likewise perish unless they repent and be converted unto Christ.

Stephen is an example of man who was filled with the Holy Spirit. [2] He was full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. [3] Those who opposed him were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. [4] So, they stirred up the people and their leaders; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. They also set up false witnesses against him. [5] The Holy Spirit in Stephen convicted them of resisting the Holy Spirit, persecuting the prophets and killing the Messiah. [6]

The agents of Satan resolved to stone Stephen to death. As they did, “Stephen, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, ‘Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!’” [7]

His last prayer before he left this present age was not for himself. It was for those who were captives of the devil. He prayed for them, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” [8] He forgave them. He wanted them to be saved.

“Holy Spirit, please fill us as You did Stephen, and empower us to convict the world of judgment so that those who are doing evil will not perish in their sins, but the rather repent, and be saved. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.”

[1] John 16:8, 11
[2] Acts 6:5
[3] Acts 6:8
[4] Acts 6:11
[5] Acts 6:12-13
[6] Acts 7:51-52
[7] Acts 7:55-56