What are Convictions? What are your Convictions?

​What are Convictions? What are your Convictions?

Introduction
You have no idea how excited I am to present this lesson on convictions to all of you. As you well know by now, besides Skip Lowe, John Cooper is one of my favorite musicians and one of my spiritual role models. I can relate with John’s lyrics, upbringing and how he’s got to where he’s at today in his convictions and walk with the Lord…just haven’t navigated into the tattoos yet – they look much better on him than they would me. His words on convictions below blew me away and I didn’t want to hesitate to type this out for y’all to benefit and grow from as well. Enjoy and mull / pray over this message for the remainder of this week and next. I pray you’ll at least read through this message, or at least view/listen to the links, and see what God would have you to do with the content before settling in your mind where you stand on any of it. I’m not planning on posting another devotional until maybe the 18th of November (though I will post Brian Conway’s follow-up notes from Ox Strong on Monday of next week).
Before we get started, I’d like for us to at least consider this question – is there a difference between Convictions & Standards?

• Agree to disagree if you want, but I heard someone once say that convictions are more so the gray areas in the Christian Life…areas where you personally stand concerning certain beliefs, subjects and or traditions.
• And that standards are more so the black and white areas… what are seen and taken as commands and truths from God's word that all believers should agree on / be on the same page about / have in common, whether corporately, institutionally or universally.
• Here are 6 truths that Followers of Christ should hold to (by Pastor Cody Hinton…this can be found on our oxstrongmen.org website as well):
  • God - There is one God who exists eternally in three persons; Father, Son, Holy Spirit. He is sovereign over all things and all things were created by Him.
  • Scripture - The Holy Scriptures are God's direct revelation to His people. They are complexity inerrant and infallible in their original writings. They are inspired by God write by men, and perfect for teaching, instructing, correcting, and reproof. 
  • Creation - All things were created by God, and were created perfect. Man is the pinnacle of God's creation, and were created special, in the Imago Dei (image of God), and distinct from the rest of creation.  
  • Sin - As the representative of all creation Adams sin permeated all of creation marring it and separating it from its creator. 
  • Jesus - Jesus is the only Son of God. He is the only source of truth, life; and hope. Through His perfect life, underserved death, and physical resurrection He has paid for all sins, appeased the wrath of God, and provided redemption and restoration of all creation. 
  • Salvation - And yes salvation would fit in the Jesus section. All of these that I stated I consider salvation issues. There are elements within them that are not closed fisted issues. For instance, yes God created all things but a person does not have to be a young earth creationist to be saved. Hope that helps. 

Part 1 of 8.
Joey Papa interviewing John Cooper, the lead singer for Skillet, for just a little over 14 minutes. Full YouTube Interview
Beginning at about the 2:45 minute mark: Joey was talking to John about starting up his band Skillet and the trials that came with that, so Joey asked John what kept him going, and John replied, “you know truthfully I just felt called to do it…there were lots of times when I thought…this is going nowhere, we’re making no money…we’re paying bills, but it’s very difficult to pay the bills…It was just an instance of praying, feeling this is what we were still called to do – meant to be here, and that there was greater purpose in it, even if there was only fifty thousand people buying the record – a hundred thousand people – two hundred thousand people. Even at that point you’re paying bills, but you’re not making a lot of money, and you’re doing a lot of the work yourselves, because you can’t afford to pay people. So it became an issue of what is feeding my soul, rather than fame or good business even. So I think the short answer is, I felt that’s what God called me to do…Still what drives me is knowing that my life is counting for something. And I think more and more people want that in their lives. You’re seeing culture people go, ‘maybe I don’t make the most money doing that, but I enjoy this…I feel like I’m helping other people.’ That is certainly the case in my life…One of the things…I’ve re-learned is you just have to be who you are – just simply that. And when you try too much to please other people…I think I’m always very much interested to know people’s opinions…between the label and management and producer, I want that input and I find it challenging and it sharpens me, but when it comes down to that…this feels wrong in my gut…‘I hear what you’re saying, it feels wrong to me.’ I think you have to know that what you have to say, hopefully has merit and is special and is uniquely you. And I’m re-learning, ‘okay, it’s okay for me to say no to people.’…It might not make the most business sense, it might not be what they’re used to hearing, but it’s who I am. And so I’m kind of finding my way back to that again…I’m writing a new record, going ‘hey, this is what I have to say.’ And it won’t be the first time that people said, ‘no that’s not good,’ or ‘no that doesn’t make sense.’ And some of my biggest songs in my career were songs that people were like, ‘nah,’ you know, ‘thumbs down.’”
Beginning at about the 6:36 minute mark: Joey points out and then asked John, “Going back to what you were talking about before, kind of like that intuition, or that inner voice, or that inner guiding, you know, talking about songwriting and people may not like this one or that one. On Joey Talks we really try to focus on everyday life and making everyday life count, making it be more meaningful, really living from that depth of who you are. Ok, that’s kind of what you’re describing. I think one word that’s used to describe that is conviction. To you, how much has conviction played a part – a role in your songwriting, in how you do business, and how you make decisions?”
John states and answers this about Conviction: “For some people they might not know what we mean when we say conviction. They might think that means commitment or…an opinion. But conviction to me has always had a connotation of something that I believe to the point that it causes a reaction in my soul…in my decisions. Something that I believe enough that it requires an action. Like for instance…someone that says, ‘I believe that killing animals is completely wrong.’ You don’t expect that person to eat meat…you believe it to the point that meat is out of your diet, if they do eat meat then that’s what we call hypocrisy. I think a great example is marriage…there are days and there have been [roller coaster]…times in life, in your marriage, that you feel happier and not as happy. There are times when you’re like, ‘alright…I love my wife, but I see why people get divorced, I understand how this happens.’ Because it can be frustrating. You can be committed to something and then give up like a diet…I’ve been committed to not eating any cookies, and I do really really good at my commitment to no cookies, and after about five days, I’m like, ‘I think I deserve at least three.’ You know, a commitment can only last for so long. I think what it is, is it’s the conviction that we are married for life, and I believe that it’s right that we are married for life. I believe that it’s even a sacred…in terms of actual God to man, it is a sacred promise that you made. So our conviction is, ‘we will not get divorced, we will work it out.’”
Beginning at about the 9:20 mark in the interview, John was asked, “So then on the band side of things, how has conviction help guide the decisions you make.” John replied, that “It’s been very important to us because most people know the saying, ‘sex, drugs, rock-n-roll,’…they seem to go hand-in-hand. To some people they have found it strange that Skillet is not a band that has the sex and drugs aspect…It’s so a part of rock-n-roll today that it seems very strange that you’re not involved in it. It almost feels like, ‘well then maybe you’re not really into rock-n-roll,’ because you can’t take it. Well my conviction is the opposite…my conviction is about the music, it wasn’t about this [the sex and drugs] when it started…it was about singing something that you believed in. If music is indeed something created by God, [then] I believe it has power to change people’s perspectives…to save lives, and so my conviction has always been that that stuff [sex and drugs] is not who I am, and even though there have been, I think a lot of labels, especially radio, say, ‘we’re not gonna play your song if you’re not gonna be involved, if you’re not gonna come party with us [then] we’re not gonna play your song,’ which is crazy. They’ve kind of been like, ‘you’re kind of raining on our parade.’ I don’t know if you’ve ever been invited, like when I was in high school I was a Christian, and I didn’t party, but I was fun. I’m hyperactive and I’m crazy, and people would be surprised to find out that I was not on any sort of medication, and I was really fun at parties. Well, I stopped getting invited to parties, and I was still class president, but all of the sudden I realized we were 17 and if you want to drink and do whatever it is else you want to do and there’s somebody that’s not doing it, it’s a little bit like, ‘’you’re no fun.’ So sometimes these radio stations, they want you to come play at their event and have fun, but you’re kind of spoiling it, and if you would be a more part of us [then] we’d play your song. And for us, it kind of came down to…I don’t care that much that you play my song. I would love it, maybe it could even ‘change’ my life [by becoming more popular]…I could make more money, help my business, but that’s not something that we’ve wanted to do. The worst thing you can do is to be a hypocrite to your own convictions, like the Meat Is Murder Person that is chewing on steak all the time. It’s a lot easier to fail someone else than to fail yourself…so I wouldn’t be able to live with myself.”
Beginning at about the 12:18 mark in the interview, Joey brought up the fact that, “ironically sometimes we find more conviction – people being more committed to [for example]…terrorism….they’re not wishy-washy in their conviction. They’re a hundred percent committed to that conviction and they’re going to do whatever it takes to see that played out, but ironically those of us who are committed to the conviction that is based in love, sometimes you meet people who are just kind of like half in / half out and you can see the difference. If we could only be committed and have conviction in the service to other people and in love, [then] what a difference that would make in the world – in people’s lives and impacting other people…other people’s lives.” John agrees by stating that, “I think you’re right. I think that some of it could come down to…we don’t always know what’s at stake, so if I could give people watching some sort of encouragement, there it is, know who you are, live by those convictions, and if those convictions are based in love – making the world a better place [then] I just think you can’t lose.” Full YouTube Interview
John’s 4 Main Points:

• Conviction is not the same as a commitment or an opinion.
• Something I believe enough that it requires action.
• Commitments can be broken. Convictions are steadfast.
• The worst thing you can do is to be a hypocrite to your own convictions.

Part 2 of 8.
Relating Passages:

• Life to the full
  • Some think that when they cross over the faith line that their life is over. Just a bunch of do’s and don’ts, and life is no longer fun and satisfying like it used to be. Consider what the Good Shepherd’s voice of truth has to say about this in John 10:10…
    • New International Version
      The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
      New Living Translation
      The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
• Strange
  • 1 Peter 4:3-4 (NKJV) For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.
• Hypocrite
  • Matthew 23:3b (NIV) But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
  • What does the Bible say about hypocrisy?
• Holy Spirit’s Role
  • Allow the Holy Spirit to do His job and convict through the reading of His word. It then is our job to listen and obey / act appropriately when He convicts us.
    • Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Relating Resource (from gotquestions.org):

• Why is it important to have personal convictions?

Part 3 of 8.
Another Video and Article describing Skillet’s Convictions concerning Music and Alcohol:

• John and Korey Cooper of Skillet on the Eric Metaxas Radio Show Click to View the Interview in Full
  • This interview contains John and Korey’s testimony, view on music, view on evangelism, how they’ve handled their critics and approach to the secular, etc. It’s almost 32 minutes long, but completely worth your time.
  • When Eric asked John about how he’s dealt with the seeming controversy concerning his approach to the Christian life and music, John stated, “I see it sort of like I see anything else in the Christian life, which is, if you’re a Plummer you don’t only plum – plummer for Christian folks.” John considers his art to sometimes be subjective…is there anything spiritually wrong with that? We’ll view non-Christian films (Marry Poppins; Sound of Music; etc.), we’ll cheer for athletes (other than the Tim Tebow’s) / purchase athletic gear that represents non-Christians, so why criticize Skillet and or similar bands/artists? Eric gets us to think about, where do we stop with the “Christian labels?” Is that a Christian apple, Christian mug, Christian store, Christian etc.?
  • On a positive note, John talks about how the pharisaical judgmentalism has greatly improved and points out that, “what it means for us to be a Christian band isn’t that every song is even necessarily about Jesus, not every song is religious…to us what makes it Christian is who we are, it’s the way we act on stage and the way we act off stage, it’s what we talk about in the songs, being a light to the world, and we’re very passionate about that. And most the criticism has kinda gone away. Some people are never going to be convinced, and I don’t try to convince them. They wouldn’t like the way I look, cause they don’t like cool dudes.”
  • Eric points out in the interview that “Christians of the religious variety can be cruel, and frankly they don’t know what they’re talking about, because if they’re right, they’re right, but in this case they’re not right. And all beauty and all goodness is of God, and sometimes we kind of try to insist that it have this Christian packaging.” John replied, “Well it kind of hit me a few years ago, both of us, ten years ago, that Christian music was mainly being listened to by Christian people. And I think a lot of the goal of Christian music was always to win the world to Christ, and so I thought, you know maybe we need to have some songs that aren’t just about Jesus, otherwise people don’t know what you’re talking about. So that’s what we try to do with our music if we can.” Eric says, “That’s fantastic, that’s called evangelism. I think Jesus is pro-evangelism.” Korey added some thoughts by stating that, “a lot of bands that we tour with on the Rock side of things, there’s always quite a few of the musicians that grew up in youth groups, and they’ve gotten as far away from the Church as they can, and then we show up. A lot of times we’ve actually played at their youth group because we’ve been around for so long. And [standoffishly] they’re like, ‘Oh my word, Skillet is here.’ And within a couple weeks it’s like, ‘Ugh, I walked away from God,’ whether it be their experience of somebody judging them or hypocrisy that they’ve seen or whatever it is, choices they’ve made, and they feel like God hates them, people hate them, people are mean, Christians are mean – and then they see we’re just normal – we have a good marriage, our kids are really nice – and that sometimes is just the salt and the light that they need. Be like, ‘ok, maybe my experience is a little bit skewed, maybe those people were mean, but that’s not the way Jesus is.”
  • Eric asks, “so when you write a song that is not overtly [(openly)] Christian…it just strikes me that you’re making art…and art can be beautiful, and it points to God even if it doesn’t do so overtly. But you really are rare I guess in that you do both.” John replies by stating, “I do think it’s kind of hard to do both, because people like things in boxes, we like to understand what we’re dealing with. And so I think that Skillet is a band that has been able to do both because I think our biggest selling point is we’re very authentic, we don’t try to cater to this, or try to cater to this, we go ‘hey, this is who we are and…no apologies about it,’ and when we sort of crossed over to ‘Rock’ music, a lot of people said, ‘hey, you should maybe not say you’re from the Christian market,’ if somebody says, ‘are you a Christ band, say no,’ and we’ve always said, ‘yah, that’s where we’re from, it’s who we are.’ And I think the fact that we’re real smells good to folks.’
    • 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 (ESV) 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
  • Eric says, “you have this album coming out called Victorious…so tell me about this album.” John excitedly responds, “there’s a theme on the album that is this – I think in culture, what it seems like is happening, I think parents, teachers, the universities, whatever, are putting this message out, whether knowingly or unknowingly that ‘life is so awesome, and every day is awesomer than the last, and every day you just have to be the awesomest you you could ever be and it’s perfect,’ and it’s not true. Life is hard, and life is a fight. And so the idea of Victorious is that you can be victorious, you can win these battles, good news for us who follow Christ, the battle belongs to God so we know we are victorious but we still got a lot of fighting to do, we still got to get a little dirty. And so the theme of Victorious is fight songs, it’s supposed to make you feel inspired, to not run away from the fight, but to say, ‘alright God, I’m ready, where do you want me, and let’s face this, come on baby.’” Eric states, concerning the word “Victorious…that sounds Christian to me…but if you’re not a Christian I don’t think you’d pick up on that. It’s like one of those things that it’s like a word.” John reiterates, “That is the essence of Skillet…that is the essence of our songs, is that you pick up on it and you go, ‘oh, victorious,’ because we think of Christ being victorious…we think that He has won the victory, but in the world it could remind you of the Game of Thrones, remind you of…lots of things. So I think that’s a cool message…it’s about not giving up…it’s about living the life you want to live now. What has God called me to do, who has He called me to be, and live every day to try to reach that…We have so many fans that reach out to us about dealing with depression…hopefully [the message of Skillet songs, namely Victorious]…inspires people to know that they’re not alone, and that they can make it through these struggles they have.” Click to View the Interview in Full

Part 4 of 8.

• Romans 1, and other passages, indicate that God can be found through general revelation. I believe that Skillet creatively applies both general and special revelation in their songs and ministry. Let’s learn from their example, rather than criticize their faithful efforts.
  • Question: "What is general revelation and special revelation?"
    Answer: General revelation and special revelation are the two ways God has chosen to reveal Himself to humanity. General revelation refers to the general truths that can be known about God through nature. Special revelation refers to the more specific truths that can be known about God through the supernatural.
    In regard to general revelation…God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speak to the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator.
    General revelation is also taught in Romans 1:20…that God’s eternal power and divine nature are “clearly seen” and “understood” from what has been made, and that there is no excuse for denying these facts…Special revelation is how God has chosen to reveal Himself through miraculous means…Of primary importance in the revealing of God is His Word, the Bible, which is also a form of special revelation…The ultimate form of special revelation is the Person of Jesus Christ…Jesus Christ is the ultimate “special revelation” from God. https://www.gotquestions.org/general-special-revelation.html

Part 5 of 8.

• Additional Article / Interview with John Cooper:
  “We were given backstage passes to Lifest, one of the largest Christian music festivals in the country, where we met musicians from Skillet, Tenth Avenue North and Sidewalk Prophets. Here’s our interview with John Cooper from Skillet!
• – Do you think alcohol is needed to have fun?

John Cooper – Hahahaha! No, I don’t. I have this legendary story and I didn’t know until later that it was weird. When I went to college, I was in the marching band and we went on this trip to another school for a football game. I had some friends at that school, so we met up. They asked me to go out raving, and I asked ‘what’s that?’ They told me it was dancing, so I was like ‘cool, that will be fun!’ So I go to this club and I don’t drink at all (and I don’t do anything else) but I am getting absolutely crazy! The next morning people said to me, ‘I thought you were a Christian, but you were so hammered at that party last night!’ I thought, ‘no I wasn’t’ and I didn’t know what they meant. I think I was going so ballistic that people thought ‘there’s no way someone would actually do that without something helping.’ But if you come to a Skillet show you know there’s a lot of energy on that stage and it’s all self-induced without anything helping… no chemicals.
Party.0 – What advice would you give to sober students?
John Cooper – For those who want to stay true to themselves and still want to make friends and have fun without getting into drinking or drug use… I think there’s something so wonderful about standing up for who you are but not preaching or judging others for living differently. I have friends today that are starkly different than me and would never want to live like I do. But you can be friends and hang out. Be strong, be yourself, love other people, and don’t judge. No one probably even cares about you not drinking, it might just be pressure you’re putting on yourself. So again, just go and have fun, be yourself and have a good time.” https://www.party0.org/inside-interview-john-cooper-lead-singer-for-skillet/
 
Part 6 of 8.

• Why are some quick to judge others appearance and or actions? Here’s one reason provided by Crosspoint Fellowship that constantly surfaces in my mind when I hear the word judgmental…
  • WE JUDGE BECAUSE WE’RE JEALOUS March 21, 2017

Our ability to not judge others is based upon if we believe God is our Heavenly Father.
About judging, Jesus isn’t saying, “Never help with the speck your friend has in their eye.”
Jesus is saying, “Everyone can find God. Perfection isn’t a prerequisite to find God. Don’t demand someone else be perfect to find God and all the while you’re missing him too.”
Really, judging is rooted in jealousy. The other person has something you want. So we will judge them to drag them down in our minds to make ourselves feel better.
The antidote to judgement is seeing that God is our Heavenly Father. And when we see God as our Heavenly Father, we see him as someone who gives good gifts. And if he is someone who gives good gifts, then we go to him to ask for what we want, not judge someone else because they have what we want.
Instead of using your energy judging someone else, use your energy to ask, seek, knock on the throne of heaven to ask our Father about what we think we need. Incidentally, we may come to find out that we really don’t need what we think we need.
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ handbook for Hearing & Following him. I believe that if we’re faced with people knocking on our doors to confiscate every Bible we own, tearing out the pages of the Sermon on the Mount would be the best thing to do before handing over our Bibles.
Why?
Because Jesus tells us that if we live this way, we will live a solid life. A life that will be able to handle the storms of life all the while staying strong.
It is the marriage of the Old and New Testaments. It is how we live a righteous life without being a spiritual snob. It is how we trust in God for everything we need. It is how we live an inwardly strong life.
God does demand perfection in righteousness. But he gives us this righteousness through faith. Faith that says we can never do it ourselves. This is why we don’t need to judge others…because it isn’t us that gives us righteousness.
Find the strong life God wants you to have by being broken before him.
Today’s reading is from Matthew 7. http://crosspointfellowship.net/we-judge-because-were-jealous/

• Maybe you’ve heard someone say that, “If you’re a good Christian, then you wouldn’t go to movies, be a part of that denomination, be associated with a para-church organization, eat a meal there, listen to that music, wear those clothes.” Realize that it just might be that that individual is just jealous of you and what you freely do. Under the layers they’re the one’s who wish they could feel free enough to go, do and be just like the one’s they’re outwardly criticizing. We’re all a work in progress, so let’s choose to be loving and patient with others, just like God and others have been loving and patient with you in life.

Part 7 of 8.

• Real Tolerance
  • I heard this reminder on LIFE 101.9 not too long ago on my way home from work and thought it fitting for this lesson…“Everyday Real Tolerance…Not everyone likes us and I know that’s not a news flash. When we follow Christ and call ourselves Christians it doesn’t mean that we agree with all Christians.  I have friends of diversity with different beliefs and lifestyles and some things we agree on and some things we don’t.  I love people. Only people last forever and how we treat others will be the true legacy we leave behind. No matter who someone is I hope to always listen and learn while being kind. Real tolerance is treating one another with respect regardless of our different opinions or beliefs. 
    Honestly, I like to be challenged.  But I’m not ashamed that I believe John 3:16: ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.’  This view doesn’t make me popular with everyone but let’s seek God’s approval, not men.  Let’s give God’s grace and treat others with kindness and respect no matter who they are…everyday.” 
• Personal Confession:
  • I have to admit that I lived a majority of my earlier life living out the example that was set before me…quick to judge others without looking at my own life and intentions. I pray to God that the old me never resurfaces...that I will never again attempt to suppress others, to never again enforce my convictions upon others, to never again attempt to get them to fit into my perfect world. That’s God’s role, not mine.
    I was good at going through the motions…throw this music away, don't go to the movies, don’t, don’t, don’t, etc. That lifestyle was depressing, exhausting, and came across as spiritually snobbish. I would apply at certain colleges and churches to become a student or pastor and would hear, “You can preach, teach, attend here as long as you dress / look a certain way, listen to certain music, etc.” Do I have regrets about how I gave in and wasn't true to myself and who God wanted / made me to be? Do I have regrets about how I reacted towards certain pastor's / fellow believers in the past? You bet I do. But I've grown in my understanding…thank you to everyone who was loving and patient with me along the way. Thankfully, I've given godly men such as John Cooper an opportunity to speak into me without automatically tuning him out because of his appearance or choice of music style. I’m forever grateful for John Coopers life and testimony. I now realized and live as though not everyone has to be a cookie cutter Christian and fit into my perfect world. They don't deserve that suppression...what a miserable world some of us create around us. God wants us to enjoy worshipping Him, enjoy loving on others, and to celebrate how He'd have us to ALL week long and everywhere we go.

Part 8 of 8.
Self-Examination Questions:

• Which of the four Main Points that John emphasized hit home for you?
• What do you feel God calling you to do in life? How did He uniquely wire you? How can you make a difference in the life of another? How can God work through you? How can He take what He wired you with and attempt to influence others perspectives / beliefs in life? What if God took your unique talents, abilities and convictions and used them to save the life of another? If only our critics would be as patient with us and God is? Are you living in light of eternity? Do you truly understand what’s at stake? Find true joy in being used by God to impact the lives of others. Keep your eyes always on the lookout for someone in need of encouragement and then act on it. Do you believe that when living in His will, doing what He’s called to do, living faithfully by your convictions, that this world will be a better place and that you can’t lose by doing so?
• When you do follow God’s calling and difficult times arise – it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere – then do you tend to want to give up or press on? What if it seems like you’re in it alone? What if others are telling you to throw in the towel / “throw out that song”? Maybe they see it as failure, but God sees as greatness/success to come.
• Do you tend to focus more so on the fame that could come to you because of what you’re doing for Him, or are you more focused on who and or what is feeding your soul? What drives you so that you know that your life is counting for something?
• Do you find more joy in helping others through what God’s called you to do, or in judging others? If you could peel back all the layers, then what would it reveal about why it is you choose to please and or judge others? 
• Do you find it wrong in your gut to try to live life with the sole purpose of attempting to please others? Are you focused more on what other people think of you, or what God thinks of you? Are you being true to yourself or allowing others to tell you who and what to be? Have you found it exhausting attempting to convince your critics of why you do what you do…trying to debate with them in order to win them over to your own personal convictions? Do you feel as though you have to be constantly apologizing for your consistent authenticity? Pray that God will guide you back to a way of living that is true to who He made you to be…not so much what others think you should be doing or looking like. Are you making everyday life count, making it to be more meaningful, really living from that depth of who you are?
• Do you have any convictions? How do you develop convictions? What part does reading God’s word play in your developed convictions / decision making? What part has your convictions played in your decision making? What reaction has convictions had on your soul? What is it that you so strongly believe in that it causes you to act or react?
• What commitments can you look back and you recognize now that you gave up on them? How can you turn your commitments into convictions? How can convictions play a role in / change the way you approach your commitments? How do you respond when others think that your convictions are strange? How do you respond when you’re the one left out of being invited to activities that others are participating in? How do you respond when others label you as no fun, spoiler, the party killer, the one raining on our parade? How do you respond when someone says, ‘if you would be a more part of us then we’d ____________’? How much stock have you put into what others think? Do you care that much about what others think that you’d be willing to throw away all of your convictions just to please them, and just for that temporary joy? What if giving in / throwing away your convictions promised instant fame for yourself, would you do it / entertain the thought? Have you allowed others to sway / veer you away from your once firm convictions? What areas of your life do you notice you’ve been compromising in…going against who you are – who God made you to be and what He’d have you to be doing in life for Him? Would you be able to live with yourself if you went against your convictions? Why choose regret over partaking of His precious promises (2 Peter 1:4)? Why choose the temporary over the eternal?
• Many outside of Christianity are committed to their convictions, and they’re going to do whatever it takes to see their convictions played out, what about you? Are you that committed / convicted in your beliefs and walk with the Lord that you’d do whatever it took to get His message of love, forgiveness and salvation to anyone and everyone He’s placed in your circles? Or are you half in – half out? Are you practicing what you’re preaching? Would others view you as a Pharisee/hypocrite or as true, authentic and genuine?
• Ask yourself the honest questions, “Am I a hypocrite because of what I’m doing or saying/preaching?” Am I a hypocrite to my own convictions? In other words, am I a Meat Is Murder Person that is constantly chewing on a steak? Look in the mirror (God’s Word) and it’ll provide the answers to those questions.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this posting. Feel free to comment back if you’d like. Would love to read whether or not any of it impacted your life as much as it did mine. Keep growing in grace and in the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 3:18).  
Practicing His Presence,
Nate