What does the word conviction mean?

To declare (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offence by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.

“the theives were convicted of the robbery”
synonyms:

The Holy convicts the world of sin and the evil they are doing against God as it is written in John 16:7-8

So that the people may repent from their sinful ways which they are commiting against God.

1.
a person found guilty of a criminal offence and serving a sentence of imprisonment.

Conviction activates the emotional feelings of sadness, guilt, sorrowfulness etc.

And when the state of conviction is not rectified it could lead to the negative state known as desolation or desolate and spiritual death or physical death.