In my recent post I talked about responding to people who the Spirit seems to be working on. That raises the question of what that my look like. What are the signs that someone is under conviction of the Holy Spirit?

Let me tell you a couple stories. Some time a go, I invited a friend of mine to join me for a bible study. He came that week to our group. During the study he kept arguing with what we were learning in the scriptures. Afterwards when I dropped him at home, I asked him if we would like to join us next week. I had little hope he would be interested, but he agreed to come again. This continued for several weeks, though his arguments decreased. He was demonstrating a growing conviction of the Spirit. Finally, one day he blurted out to me, "You are getting to me."

Another fellow I was sharing the faith with seemed to react by becoming a heartier sinner. If anything, his life got messier than ever. It was like a great spiritual struggle. Still in his case, he walked out of the battle into a new faith.

Other times I observed a growing interest and excitement over the things of God. Suddenly the person begins to read the scriptures or attend a church. Some exhibit a new openness to talking about God.

How have you noticed people responding to the work of the Spirit in their hearts?

It is quite evident that our major responsibility as followers of Jesus is to make more disciples. But here is the problem. We often get calloused to the need of change. The more we repeat a certain sin pattern, the more it seems normal. Then we gather around ourselves people who agree with us that our sin is OK. So who needs to turn from their life of sin and begin as a new creation?

You can try your best to show an example. You can attempt to persuasively present the gospel, but often it falls on deaf ears. This is where John 16:8-11. Jesus reminds us that we don't have to rely on our own debating skills. He is sending the Holy Spirit to work in people's lives and minds.

Listen to Jesus' words: "When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement: in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned." (NIV) 

It is the work of the Spirit to bring people to the place where they see their need for forgiveness and to receive his righteousness. May I suggest that we look to see where the Spirit is working in people's lives? Then relying on the Holy Spirit let's seek to minister.