Devotion, Feb. 15, 2021, Grieving the Holy Spirit

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

This verse contains a negative thought and a positive thought. On the positive side, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit, who keeps us in faith until the day of redemption. Faith in Jesus brings the Holy Spirit into our lives, and He marks us as one of God’s redeemed children.

On the negative side, we learn that we can grieve the Holy Spirit. The word “grieve” (lupete, Greek) is a word a wounded spouse might use about her unfaithful husband. The Holy Spirit loves us. He abides with us to help us in our Christian walk. Using the Word of God, the conscience, and internal nudges, He seeks to guide us. As persons who possess free will, we can, of course, refuse to listen to the Holy Spirit. When we act like our unbelieving friends, and our speech sounds very similar to unbelievers’ speech, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we dismiss our sins without repentance, we grieve the Holy Spirit. When we know the right thing to do and fail to do it, the Holy Spirit is grieved.

When we offend the Holy Spirit, we do not necessarily forfeit our salvation. We do open ourselves up to the discipline of God. Any time we resist God’s will, the Holy Spirit is grieved, and God will bring discipline into our lives to remind us that He is not to be trifled with. Life goes so much better for us when we submit to the Holy Spirit.

Father, I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing it is to be sealed by Him. Help me to make decisions in harmony with His will. Open my eyes to those times when I grieve Him that I may repent and receive Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.