I think it is really important for us to better understand the person of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people think of the Holy Spirit as more of an “It” than a “Him.” But according to Scripture, the Holy Spirit is not only God, but He has a will, a personality, and can even be offended!
Yesterday, I shared about my grandma telling me, “Randy, don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.”
One of the places in Scripture where we read about grieving the Holy Spirit is in Ephesians 4:29–32. The apostle Paul writes:
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not grieve God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live…Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
To grieve means to make sad or sorrowful. It means to cause sorrow, pain, or distress.
Yesterday, I touched briefly on foul or abusive language. Today I want to deal with Bitterness and Rage.
2. Bitterness makes the Holy Spirit sad and sorrowful.
The definition of bitterness is “an embittered and resentful spirit that refuses to be reconciled.”
Some people just like to be mad. They live for conflict, arguing, and fighting. This, as with all sin, only gets worse if left unchecked and unrepented of.
The sad thing is that bitter people rarely want to keep it to themselves. Instead, they spread it around. The Bible speaks of “a root of bitterness defiling many” (see Hebrews 12:15).
I have a better idea: forgive!
3. Fits of rage and uncontrolled anger make the Holy Spirit sad and sorrowful.
“Rage” speaks of the person who is easily angered and who raises his voice—shouting and screaming. “Slander” is speaking evil of others behind their backs. “Malicious behavior” speaks of ill will and plotting evil against someone.
Look, all of us have been hurt in life, but we have a choice as to how we react. We can say, “They did this to me; therefore I will have my vengeance!” I won’t forgive!
Or we can believe God when He says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.”
Try the acronym T.H.I.N.K. the next time you are not sure whether or not you should say something.
T – Is it Truthful?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?
The Bible tells us Instead of speaking evil of someone, we are to “be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.”
But if you are human, at times you struggle with forgiving. I have to admit sometimes the first thought that comes to my mind is;
“But they don’t deserve that!”
Thats when the Lord reminds me, Yes Randy, thats true, but you didn’t deserve forgiveness yet I (God) still forgave you.
Paul concludes Ephesians 4:32 by saying, “…just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Forgiven people should be forgiving people. Otherwise, we are grieving the Spirit.
Like my Grandma used to say,
“Be Careful Don’t Grieve The Holy Spirit.”
Rev Ran 🙂