Grieving - Part 2

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

 

Pastor Herk continues: Proverbs 1:7 proclaims, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.” The Greek word for “fear” in this Bible verse is “yir'â” meaning fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety. So, the reverence of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and the fear is that we never want to disappoint Him or do anything that would let Him down and cause Him grief. We do not want to grieve the Holy Spirit. So, how can we avoid grieving the Holy Spirit?

 

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

 

Every sin that we commit grieves the Holy Spirit because sin is the voluntary departure of a moral agent [us] from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God; any voluntary transgression of the divine law, or violation of a divine command; a wicked act of iniquity, whatever is contrary to God's commands or law. Ultimately, our sin is willful rebellion again against God and His authority; the fallen finite creature wronging against its just and holy Creator. The Holy Spirit wants the best for us. We are supposed to be talking in a way that edifies and encourages people; so, our words can also grieve the Holy Spirit.  

 

In Ephesians 1:17, the Apostle Paul states, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Paul goes on to say in Ephesians 2:18,22: “For through him {Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Then in Ephesians 3:4-5 Paul instructs, “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.” In Ephesians 3:16-17 Paul says, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Finally, in Ephesians 4:3-4, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.” 

 

These verses are about unity and harmony within the body of Christ in the Spirit. Anything we do that damages the unity of the body of Believers, grieves the Holy Spirit and takes away from the glory that God receives; to God be all glory and praise. Amen. We are His body and the Holy Spirit is in us. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we do something that harms the unity of the church. Everything the you say and do, the Holy Spirit hears, sees and knows. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. The Apostle has identified keys to maintaining unity of the Spirit, it would be profitable for God’s people to know these truths in order to identify that which grieves the Spirit.  

 

One thing that leads to sin and grieving the Holy Spirit is focusing on ourselves, instead of focusing on the Lord, our God. The unifying elements of the church body are the picture of the perfect unity of God Himself as the Godhead to work together to accomplish His purposes on this side of eternity. When we, as a body of believing disciples, keep our focus on God and His work in our lives, we are maintaining harmony and unity in that church body. We cannot grieve the Holy Spirit when the church body is united in harmony of God’s perfect Word, Will, Way and purposes. Being Self-focused leads to self-led lives and disunity, that grieves the Holy Spirit. But, being Spirit-focused leads to Spirit-led lives and true unity, where the Hoy Spirit rejoices.   

Let's continue PAstor Herk's message on grieving the Hoy Spirit in our next post.

In Christ, Brian