A conviction in the sense of a firm belief is a necessary part of spiritual commitment. A convict on the other hand is someone who has offended against others deeply held beliefs. All three aspects (convict, conviction and convince) presuppose an emotional connection with our own beliefs. To be convinced in a dream means that we have been deeply impressed and to have a conviction follows this same idea. To convict someone, however, suggests that we have a deeply held belief that that person has committed some wrongdoing. To receive a conviction, therefore, means to be at the mercy of other peoples opinions, whereas convincing someone means that we have converted them to our way of thinking.