I was having a conversation with my husband about the difference between conviction and condemsation. He was equating conviction with condemnation. I told him they were not the same. There is more than one definition of conviction. The conviction God gives you is not unpleasant. It doesn't hurt. It is inspiring. 

The definition of conviction that correlates to the biblical version of 

conviction: is a firmly held belief or opinion:
It is not that definition of conviction which is being found guilty and punished for something. When God puts us under conviction, we find ourselves aligned with Him. When convicted of swearing, which was something I did when I was working at a factory. I was constantly frustrated and used foul language as a release from the frustration I was feeling. My parents did not bring me up around it, but if you know what it’s like to work in a factory or even around a bunch of frustrated people swearing happens.

I didn’t want to quit because I felt condemned. It was because I WANTED to change. I was convicted because of the scripture:

1 Peter 3:4 Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

I wanted to be precious in the sight of God. I wanted to be found to have a gentle and quiet spirit and when I swore, I didn't feel gentle or quiet. 

God used that verse to INSPIRE me to be better. THAT is conviction. 

That being said, I wasn’t transformed overnight. Every time I got frustrated, and wanted to swear and didn’t, I FELT like I was going to get an ulcer for a little while. I would quote that scripture about a gentle and quiet spirit to myself instead of swearing every time I felt frustrated. In time, I just quit feeling frustrated. My emotions lined up with my actions. The power of God’s word worked for me.

So what is condemnation? 

1.     the expression of very strong disapproval; censure: "there was strong international condemnation of the attack"

2.    The action of condemning someone to a punishment; sentencing

The Bible says Jesus did not come to condemn us. He did not condemn the woman found in adultery, though he did say go and sin no more. I am sure she was convicted to change.

That story begins with the pharisees condemning a woman caught in adultery. They said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” John 8: 4-11

 I am sure she was convicted to change through his act of forgiveness. 

The bible says For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17

So don't confuse being condemned with conviction. Conviction is good. It empowers you to change.

Condemnation isn’t something God wants for us. It means you deserve punishment which only happens when you ultimately reject God’s gift of forgiveness. So, in essence, you are condemning yourself.