Everyone has dealt with condemnation. The question we want to answer today is, which kind are you experiencing? Knowing the answer will help you be free of condemnation for good. Condemnation affects people daily. If condemnation is there, it means that you’ve been accused of doing something wrong and have been found guilty. You have been condemned, and your punishment awaits. From what I can tell, most people categorize all condemnation as one type. But it’s when you look closer that you see two different types of condemnation, and one is far worse than the other.
In this teaching, we will divide condemnation into these two distinct parts. The first is the condemnation of death, which deals with Adam’s transgression. The second is the condemnation of damnation, which deals with the devil’s judgment. Each one plays a part in people’s lives, but they do have very different outcomes. With this in mind, let’s examine the two parts of condemnation.
First, there is the Condemnation of Death, which is of Adam. (Romans 5:16-18) If you sin, you die. God meant this condemnation for Adam. You will walk in the carnal mind, guilty of sin and condemned to death. Your mind is set on the works of the flesh, and the curse of sin continually burdens you. In this condemnation, there is still an opportunity to find forgiveness with your willingness to repent of your sins. As we all know, Jesus was the last Adam, and He put an end to sin and death. Because God forgave Adam, we are also forgiven and are now made free from condemnation. Jesus did away with it. In this condemnation, you choose to repent, Adam is forgiven, and you are changed to serve God and do only His works according to the Spirit.
The second kind of condemnation is the Condemnation of Damnation, which is of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6-7) God meant this condemnation for the devil. This is where you go beyond the death of Adam and create Satan in your life. Not only do you walk in the guilt of sin, but you refuse to repent of your sin. Therefore you are condemned like the devil to the eternal damnation of the lake of fire. While this sounds very intense, it is, but it’s because of refusing to humble yourself in the presence of God and be cleansed of sin and death. In this condemnation, instead of repenting, you chose to work iniquity against God and serve other gods instead of the one true God. The lack of repentance makes you a partaker of damnation with the devil.
The difference between Adam’s condemnation and the devils’ condemnation is repentance. Adam did fall into condemnation with the devil because he received the devil and was condemned of sin. But Adam found repentance through Jesus and was saved. When sin abounds and grows into rebellion without repentance, you are exalted as a god. That’s how you change your family name and refuse to be part of God’s family anymore. This leads to damnation rather than condemnation that is forgiven.
Another difference between the two condemnations is the judgment they bring. If you’re condemned to death, Jesus died and canceled out the condemnation of death, so that’s all good. All you have to do is walk in repentance, and you receive the gift of eternal life and will be free of death. If you are condemned to damnation, you are doomed because of your resistance to repentance. Until you change your heart, you will remain in damnation for all eternity. That’s the judgment that you want to avoid at all costs.
One thing to remember is that we all walk as Adam and experience sin and death. But in Adam, we have hope of Jesus Christ saving us from sin and delivering our souls from hell. On the other hand, if you choose not to repent, you will open the door for the same damnation that the devil walked in. His is a condemnation of damnation, and he will not escape it because he will not repent of his wickedness.
Don’t sweat being in the first Adam. In Adam, all die; that’s why you are here. You’re experiencing the effect of sin through Adam. However, if you partake of the first Adam, that should mean the second man Adam is next, and you can be saved. Whatever you do, find repentance and give your life to Jesus every day because your adversary, the devil, is out to persuade you not to repent. He wants you to be condemned to death and damnation with him. The way to avoid him is to talk to Jesus, be open and honest, repent of your sins when they are discovered and walk in truth.