Convicting the World of Judgment

And when He (the Helper, v.7) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. John 16:8-11*

My previous two blogs dealt with the Holy Spirit’s ministry of convicting the world of sin and righteousness. The third area in which the Holy Spirit convicts the world is judgment.

Why would the world be concerned about judgment? If someone doesn’t trust in Jesus because he has no consciousness of sin and hasn’t seen Jesus to believe in Him, why would they even think about judgment? If there is no God to be seen, there is no one to whom we are accountable. Without accountability, who’s to judge?

The proof of judgment is all around us. While a close examination of the physical world will show God’s glory, that same examination will also show the reality of judgment for each person. Paul described it in the last half of Romans. Here is a quick breakdown how Paul proves God’s judgment:

1. The creation is easily observed and it shows God’s eternal power.
2. Humans are without excuse because even though they can see God’s invisible power through the created world, they hide that truth under their own wickedness, worshiping other images instead.
3. Humans refuse to give God glory because their hearts are evil, so they descend into more wickedness, receive active judgment in their own bodies, and continue even more evil deeds.
4. Though they understand the judgment, they still continue and encourage others to do so.

The world understands the judgment around them, but that’s not what the Holy Spirit uses to convict unbelievers of judgment. The fact that Satan is judged is what convicts us to repent.

Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, through whom and for whom the creation exists, says that the ruler of this world is judged. The ruler of this world is Satan, the serpent of old, the accuser of the brethren.

And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish…” Luke 4:6

So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. Revelation 12:9-10

Satan’s judgment was declared when he caused sin to enter the world. After Adam and Eve sinned, God told Satan about his judgment:

“…I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” Genesis 3:15

Jesus told us of Satan’s judgment and loss of authority.

“Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.” John 12:31

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” John 14:30

“…of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:11

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15

Revelation tells us of the future judgment of the ruler of this world:

He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years… Revelation 20:2

The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Revelation 20:10

If the ruler of this world is judged, so what? Why would that knowledge convict an unbeliever?

Here’s how: Revelation shows us that after Satan is cast into the lake of fire, all unbelievers will also be thrown into the same lake of fire. If a powerful eternal being can be sentenced to eternal flames for his sin, what are our chances of standing before a righteous Judge?

The Holy Spirit uses the evidence of real judgment in the world we inhabit to remind us that the ruler of this world is already judged, and that our judgment will certainly follow.

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and travails in pain together until now. Romans 8:20-22

The world can see that the creation is suffering decay because of its subjection caused by our sin (Genesis 3:17-19). The Holy Spirit uses that evidence to remind the world of judgment and remove everyone’s excuse.

The Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of Truth, will convict the world of their unbelief in Jesus, their need of faith for righteousness, and their certain judgment and punishment if they do not repent.

Our duty is to proclaim the truth and let Him convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

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*All Scripture quotations for this article are from the New King James Version (NKJV).