1 John 3:20 (KJV) says, “For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.” 

In some cases, following your heart can be the best decision you make, but your heart can lie to you if you are not careful. If your heart has been influenced by a worldly culture or negative circumstances, then your heart can deceive you. In a religious setting, it is easy for our heart to condemn us. To be “condemned” is a lot different from being “convicted”.

In the kingdom of God, conviction is a good thing. In fact, the Holy Spirit is the one who is responsible of convicting us of righteousness, sin and judgment (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit is necessary for conviction. Take Him out of the equation, then repentance is a vague and distant memory. Conviction shows us what we need to change in order for our character to resemble God’s and be equipped to walk in His perfect will. Once the Holy Spirit fills our heart with conviction, then we are more subject to draw closer to God rather than run away from Him!

But condemnation is a different ball game. Condemnation is the result of shame and guilt. It causes people to be insecure in the faith and robs them of the grace and mercies of God. It will even belittle people to cause them to feel as though they are beneath others. If we do not guard our hearts with the Word of God and obedience and align our hearts with God’s heart, condemnation will creep in! However, just know that if your heart condemns you, God is greater than your heart and truly knows your motives and intentions. God is love (1 John 4:8), and there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)! If you have been convicted of sin and you repented of it, receive the forgiveness God has extended to you. Then, forgive yourself! Do not hold yourself or others to a higher standard than God ever will! Once you to come that understanding, condemnation will not have room to rule your heart.