Jesus said the Spirit would 'convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment.' Conviction is not mere guilt: it is God persuading the conscience of the truth, so that people see their sin, their need of Christ's righteousness, and the judgment to come, and turn to the Savior.
Not a summary of these passages: the passages themselves. Read them, then come back to the study below.
The study
What the Scripture says
1
Conviction is convincing, not just feeling bad
Jesus said the Spirit 'will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment.' To convict is to bring proof and persuade: the Spirit doesn't merely make people uncomfortable, He opens their eyes to the truth about God, themselves, and the gospel.
When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Concerning sin: because they do not believe in Jesus
The sin the Spirit exposes first is not a list of behaviors but the root: 'because they don't believe in me.' Weeping over a broken marriage is one thing; being convinced that refusing Christ is the deepest wrong is the Spirit's work. He uses the gospel to name that sin.
about sin, because they don’t believe in me;Of sin, because they believe not on me;
This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
Concerning righteousness: because Jesus went to the Father
Jesus went to the Father and the world saw Him no more, yet the Father vindicated Him by the resurrection and ascension. The Spirit convinces the world that Christ is the righteous One, and that His righteousness is what we need. The verdict on Jesus becomes the news we receive.
about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear.This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Concerning judgment: because the ruler of this world is judged
Satan, the accuser, has been judged at the cross. The Spirit assures us that evil will not have the last word: that the powers behind the world's rebellion are already defeated. Judgment, promised and certain, is part of the good news that calls us to safety in Christ.
about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
When the crowd was 'cut to the heart' under the Spirit's conviction, Peter did not leave them in guilt; he called them to repent and be baptized, and to receive the gift of the Spirit. God's kindness leads to repentance. The Spirit who convicts is the same Spirit who gives the new birth.
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; about sin, because they don’t believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more; about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.