Many a sincere follower of Christ has had a similar experience. A clearer understanding of God’s will, places man in a new relation to him. New duties are revealed. Much which before appeared innocent, or even praiseworthy, is now seen to be sinful. The apostle Paul states that though he had, as he supposed, rendered obedience to the law of God, yet when the commandment was urged upon his conscience by the Holy Spirit, “sin revived, and I died.” He saw himself a sinner, and conscience concurred with the sentence of the law. {LP 132.2}

Mange oprigtige efterfølgere af Kristus har en lignende erfaring. En klarere forståelse af Guds vilje, sætter mennesket i et nyt forhold til ham. Nye opgaver bliver åbenbaret. Meget som før vise sig uskyldigt, eller endog prisværdigt, ses nu som syndigt. Apostlen Paulus siger at selvom han, sådan som han troede, regnede det for lydighed mod Guds lov, blev budet på skønnet hans samvittighed ved Helligånden, "livede synden op, og jeg døde." Han så sig selv om en synder, og samvittigheden faldt sammen med lovens dom.