Grieving the Holy Spirit

Chuckle: "I read somewhere that it is against the Law in Pennsylvania for a man to put an ice-cream cone in his hip pocket!!"

Quote: "Thank God it is gloriously and majestically true that the Holy Spirit can work in us the very nature of Jesus if we will obey Him." --Oswald Chambers

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30 NIV). "Yet they rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit" (Isaiah 63:10 NIV).

Before we think about bringing grief to the Holy Spirit, let's review something basic and wonderful, God's love. "God is love (1 John 4:16), God is Spirit (John 4:24), For God so loved the world (John 3:16), This is how God showed his love (1 John 4:9), How great is the love the Father has lavished on us (1 John 3:1), But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

This brief review of a few Scriptures affirming God's love for us should fill our hearts with gratitude and love for Him in return. They remind me that, in life, we can be a source of grief to those who love us. Think for a moment about the time your child caused you grief by his/her rebellious and sinful actions; or the time when a wayward spouse broke your heart or the heart of someone you know. Now think what grief we can bring to our loving Lord by our actions.

The Bible portrays the Spirit as a "Person" who is sensitive and is hurt by the immoral behavior of those in whose hearts He lives. Christians should always avoid actions which will bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit. When we sin, our personal rebellious response to the love of God brings Him grief. Paul addresses some actions that grieve the Spirit when he writes, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV).

Another way we grieve the Holy Spirit is by resisting Him as He seeks to work in our lives to mold us into mature Christians. Rebellious Christians need only to look at the cross to be reminded of God's great love and sacrifice. Then the Holy Spirit we have been resisting should find our hearts filled with love and renewed commitment. Such commitment will please our Lord and bring us peace and contentment.

Living holy lives is the way to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit. This means lives of purity and integrity before God. Listen to C.S. Lewis on the subject of holiness and its impact on the world while pleasing the Spirit. "How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing, . . . it is irresistible. If even 10% of the worlds population had it, would not the whole world be converted and happy before year's end?"

Love, Jerry & Dotse