Whitewashed Convictions and the Muddy Harvest: Understanding the Difference Between Holiness and Haughtiness

There's a fine line between holiness and haughtiness, and many Christians today struggle to walk this line with balance. While convictions can be beautiful invitations from the Holy Spirit to grow closer to God, they become dangerous when we start applying them as law to others around us.

What Are Convictions and Why Do They Matter?

Convictions are personal invitations from the Holy Spirit for a tighter fit in our individual walk with God. They're meant to help us in our journey toward sanctification - becoming more like Jesus daily. However, it's crucial to understand that convictions are not law.

When we begin holding other people to the standard of our own convictions, we stop walking in grace and start mimicking the same legalism that Jesus came to fulfill and free us from. This is exactly what the religious leaders did in Jesus' time - they created barriers instead of bridges to God.

How Do Personal Convictions Become Stumbling Blocks?

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:23 that "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial." What benefits you in your spiritual walk may not be the same thing that helps someone else. In fact, your conviction might become a stumbling stone for another person.

Common examples include debates over drinking alcohol, using instruments in worship, or Bible translations. When we make our personal convictions into universal laws, we set ourselves up as the ultimate arbiters of truth rather than pointing people to Jesus.

What's the Real Purpose of the Ten Commandments?

Many people view the Ten Commandments as a list of "don'ts" that we must follow to be good Christians. But consider this perspective: the commandments aren't declaratory - they're descriptive. They describe who we would be without Jesus.

Why does God tell us not to lie? Because we will. Why not to steal? Because we will. Even small children will take gum from a store before they're old enough to understand money. The commandments reveal our need for a Savior.

More importantly, all the commandments are about relationship. Jesus summed up all the law and prophets in two commands: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. When we break the commandments, we damage relationships - with God and with others.

Should Christians Separate from "Sinful" People?

Many Christians have heard the saying, "If you lay down with dogs, you'll get fleas." This philosophy encourages separation from people who might be bad influences. But consider this: what if Jesus had been careful about who He hung out with? Where would we be?

Jesus touched lepers, ate with sinners, and sat with the broken. He never feared contamination from the world because He came to cleanse that contamination. You have to be around something to cleanse it.

Holiness is not separation from people - it's separation unto God. If you're trying to be more like Jesus, you will be different from everyone else. But if you build fences so high around yourself that you can no longer see the light coming in, you've missed the point.

How Do Walls Meant to Protect Become Barriers?

The walls that are meant to protect often become barriers keeping sinners from salvation. When we create an atmosphere of judgment and condemnation, we push people away from the very grace they need.

Some homes that profess to be "holy" are filled with strife, pride, and cold judgment. This is not fruit that bears the fragrance of Christ. We're not called to present perfection - we're called to bear fruit.

The barometer of righteousness is not how loudly we proclaim our separation, but how gently we love those still stuck in the mud.

What Does Unity in Christ Really Look Like?

Jesus prayed in John 17:21 "that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, so the world may believe that you have sent me."

When we take our personal convictions and apply them to others, causing separation, we deny the unity that Jesus prayed for. Every time we base our fellowship on anything other than Christ and His salvation, we dismember His body.

Think of denominations like ice cream flavors - some people like chocolate, some vanilla, some can't make up their mind and choose Neapolitan. The only difference in the church should be slightly different flavors, but it should all be about Jesus.

What's the Difference Between Discernment and Division?

There is a difference between healthy discernment and harmful division. If you're in a place that teaches false doctrine - like the prosperity gospel that promises health and wealth to all believers - discernment protects the body of Christ by recognizing error.

Division, however, tears the body apart over non-essential matters. When pride amputates even one limb from the body, the whole body suffers.

Why Is Harvest Work Always Messy?

Anyone who has worked a harvest knows it's messy, uncomfortable work. Whether it's loading hay, picking okra, or gathering peas, harvest is dirty business. The same is true for the spiritual harvest of souls.

If we're going to reap a harvest, we have to be willing to get our hands dirty. We must sit in the grit and grief of humanity with the same humility Christ displayed when He washed the feet of those who would deny Him.

Paul said, "I become all things to all men so that by all means I might save some." That's the posture of a harvester - flexible, humble, and willing to meet people where they are.

What Does the World Really Need from Christians?

The world doesn't need more walls - it needs witnesses. It doesn't need perfection - it needs presence. Jesus said the fields are ready for harvest, but too many hands remain folded in disapproval rather than extended in grace.

People whose lives have been a mess but who have been forgiven much often love much. In contrast, those who think they've lived pretty good lives sometimes don't love the Lord as deeply as someone Jesus has picked up and cleaned off.

If we spend our energy painting tombs instead of planting seeds, we'll miss the heart of the harvest. We need to return to the way of Christ - the Savior who wasn't afraid of the mess, who stooped, touched, wept, and walked beside broken people.

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to examine your heart and actions. Are you building bridges or barriers to the gospel? Instead of focusing on what separates you from others, look for opportunities to extend grace and love to those who need Jesus most.

Consider reaching out to someone you might normally avoid or judge. Remember that holiness without humility is hollow, conviction without compassion is cold, and unity without love is impossible.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have I elevated my convictions over compassion?

• Does my life draw others closer to Christ or make them feel unworthy to approach Him?

• Have I allowed division to disguise itself as discernment in my heart?

• Am I willing to enter the mud of the harvest to love, disciple, and restore others, even when it's uncomfortable?

The most exciting thing you can witness as a Christian is someone whose life has been an utter disaster reaching out to Christ and finding hope. These are the people who need to know that Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but to save it - and that includes them