Note 76 at Jn. 16:8: It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reprove of sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is not our ministry. We are simply witnesses (Jn. 15:27; Acts 1:8). A witness is not the judge or the jury. He simply testifies of what he has seen or what has happened to him.

Some people in their zeal have gone beyond the witness stage and tried to bring people under conviction themselves. This is assuming a job that belongs to the Holy Spirit alone. This not only frustrates the witness but it drives many people away from God. We make a very poor Holy Spirit; therefore, we should stick to our job of being a witness and let the Holy Spirit do His.