Personal convictions are important because they determine the path each one of us will take throughout our lives. A lack of personal convictions leads to indecisive living and lack of discipline. Wise personal convictions help propel an individual's purpose.
As believers in Christ, our personal convictions should align with what the Bible teaches (Psalm 119:105). They should not be selfishly motivated, but rather motivated by the desire to live lives that are pleasing to God. Having godly convictions is wise and following them will lead us to spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13–15). When we are spiritually mature, we are able to withstand the distractions that come from things such as peer pressure or false teaching.
Here are some of the primary ways we benefit from having personal convictions:
1. Personal convictions give us a framework that helps us make decisions. We are not on our own. The Bible actually instructs us to ask God for wisdom so that we will not be double-minded but will be stable in all our ways (James 1:5–8).
2. Personal convictions help to keep us grounded in Christ if they are based in His Word. Meditating on the Bible keeps our spiritual foundation secure (Psalm 1:1–3).
3. Personal convictions help us to exercise wisdom and protect us from danger. Proverbs 4:6 says: "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you" (NIV).
4. Personal convictions help us to develop the spiritual maturity we need to set a godly example for others. Even young people can be godly examples: "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).
Personal convictions are important in helping us establish a framework that aids us in living our lives in a way that is consistent with who we are, what we believe, who we aspire to become, and where we aspire to be. The Bible offers the trustworthy guidance we need to establish the personal convictions that govern our lives. Inevitably, the Bible does not explicitly address every single situation we will face in our lives, but it does teach us principles that we may use to guide us in developing our personal convictions (2 Timothy 3:16–17). The Bible helps us learn about how God views things so that we may align ourselves with Him (Hebrews 5:14; Philippians 1:9–11; Romans 12:1–2).
As we grow and encounter other believers who have different personal convictions than we do, it is important to let God's love rule—not every issue is black and white. Believers are instructed not to fight over debatable issues but to maintain their own personal convictions while allowing others to do the same (Romans 14:1–6). Ultimately, each one of us will give an account to God, and He is the one who will judge us on that day (Romans 14:12). Paul encourages believers: "Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother" (Romans 14:13).
In a world that is ever-changing, personal convictions help to ground us by reminding us of what we believe and what is truly important to us. Personal convictions that are biblically based enable us to resist temptation and become spiritually mature. As we are tested and do not give in to the pressures of the world around us, our faith is made pure.
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