One is from the enemy:
That is Condemnation.
The other is from our Lord to His children,
or for those who are seeking to learn about Him:
That is Conviction.
Condemnation points the finger,
does not show a remedy,
does not give a way to get out of the situation.
Condemnation just tells you how horrible you are
and reminds you of your sin or mistake and is relentless.
Conviction is a reminder that
something done has separated you from God.
There is a clear remedy, whether it is confession
or something more He may want you to do.
If Jesus is wanting you to do something,
He will make it clear, whatever He is asking,
It is like Jesus extending His hand to remove the barrier,
to help us become close to Him again without the interference.
He might have you apologize to someone or otherwise right a wrong.
Like Zacchaeus: Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord,
“Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor;
and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation,
I restore fourfold.” Luke 19:8
Whatever it is He is asking or convicting us of makes us closer again to Him.
With Condemnation, there is no remedy, it is just a constant reminder.
Guilt of what you did and how you cannot be accepted.
There is life in Conviction.
There is death in Condemnation.
So, if ever you are trying to figure out if a reminder of sin is from God
or the Devil, just look at the fruit.
Is there a clear answer to bring you close again to God?
Or does the idea of it just crush you and make you feel worthless?
Jesus paid it all.
While He forgives, He may remind you of something you did to help you,
maybe to help you be more compassionate to others,
but if there is no good fruit, you know it is from the enemy.
And, if that is the case, spending time on it is not
helping your walk with Christ in any way whatsoever.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9