132. Reprove of Judgment
John 16:8c (He will reprove the world) of judgment.
The third step in the conversion process by the Holy Spirit is that He will convict the people of the world of judgment. The conviction is that Sin, Satan and Death has been judged at the Cross, once for all and finally. The judgment of Satan, of course, is impossible to see by witnessing the crucifixion, or by simply hearing the story. We need a revelation by the HS that the death of Christ on the Cross is a judgment: the prince of this world is judged.
Satan and his power are judged by the cross because Sin is judged. Sin gives Satan a legal right to rule the world and control human lives. Once sin is judged and taken away Satan no longer has a legal claim to our lives. When by faith in Christ we tell him to flee and be gone he must flee and go away, no questions asked. Thus it is a real life practical fact to know: Satan is judged, and he has no more right to our life. He can only lie and scream and scare and accuse, but he cannot convict. I can boldly assert and proclaim, “Satan, get behind me, you have no right here. Flee and be gone.” We do not have to listen to his doubts and temptations.
My Sin has been judged on Calvary. It is finished, and no sin can rise up and accuse me any longer; I am not guilty. Death, the wages of sin, is also judged. Death has no more claims on my life. I will die but afterward I will live. “Though he die, yet shall he live.” Since the hold and the threat of death is destroyed there is absolutely no fear of death.
Judgment is a big deal; in this context it means condemnation, damnation. All my enemies are completely defeated, and I know for sure that the Second Death has no power over me. Condemnation is the opposite of righteousness: I can have one but not the other at the same time. Judgment is also necessary so that the Enemies are destroyed from existence and so that righteousness is mine. Judgment kills all that is evil or inimical to my wellbeing; righteousness makes alive everything good and pleasant. The HS convicts me of righteousness and judgment.