What is the difference between speculation and conviction? Convictions tend to be more certain, while speculations are based on guesswork or theories. Doctors base their prognosis on scientific facts (which often change as they learn more) so their remedies or prescriptions would be on the upper end of speculations. A person hit by a person running a red light would base most of what they say happened on conviction rather than speculation.
John, one of Jesus’ primary disciples, wrote about a lower level of speculation. The man who says (speculates), “I know him,” but does not do (fact) what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:4, NIV). In another place he wrote, if anyone says (speculates), “I love God,” yet hates (fact) his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother (fact), whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20, NIV).
John is clearly saying some speculate about their salvation. Perhaps someone had told them they were saved. Others base their salvation on what they have experienced. Ezekiel 36:25-27 prophetically spells out one distinguishable sign of authentic salvation. The Spirit through Ezekiel identifies that sign when he wrote, I [God] will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (Ezekiel 36:27, ESV). We are careful about whatever we highly value. Jesus verified this when He said, if you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15, ESV). John reinforced this when he wrote by this, we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments (1 John 2:3, ESV). Just to be clear, these verses focus on the motives of the heart, not inadvertent sinful deeds. God has promised to forgive when we confess them. (1 John 1:9) If we carelessly practice what God’s Word teaches is wrong, we are mocking His grace.
When Jesus walked with His disciples, on one occasion He asked them, who do men say (speculate) that I am? They reported John the Baptist and Elijah. He then asked, who do you say that I am? Peter said You are the Christ. We find Peter’s answer was not based upon his speculation; it was based upon experiencing (conviction) a Spirit revelation. (Matthew 16:17) His naivety about what he had experienced was clear by him rebuking Jesus only a few verses later. This shows conviction doesn’t necessarily prevent wrong choices. However, it will lead to repentance.
Looking back on my life, I have had speculative thoughts that I’ve naively thought were what God wanted me to do. The truth was, God didn’t inspire the idea, my mind did. That has made life harder for me than God wanted it to be. Through those experiences, I have developed a conviction that I must take more time to seek what His Spirit is leading me to do rather than my stubbornness, mind or emotions. I’ve learned to better discern His whispers in my intuition or conscience from my well-intended yet deceptive ego fabricated ideas. I am so grateful to God that He focuses most on the intentions of my heart rather than my behavior.
Have you learned to discern the difference between speculations and conviction? I have found a conviction comes from deeper within my spirit—often springing from my chest or gut area. Jesus plainly said to those speculating, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers (Matthew 7:23, NIV)! I would rather you wrestle with this now than when standing before His throne.