How we keep in step with the Spirit
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (18/7/2023)
Ephesians 4:30 "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
This warning came amidst Paul’s instructions to the Ephesians on right Christian living, differentiating between life before Christ and after coming to Him. The Holy Spirit is the person behind our coming to Christ, and the resultant transformation we experience. His presence in us is the guarantee of of our sonship and the hope of our redemption when Jesus comes back.
But He can be grieved! Being a person, He is gentle and has feelings and emotions. Grieving the Holy Spirit comes from a continuous stubborn and rebellious attitude. He speaks to guide us in what we should or shouldn’t do. But when men choose to disobey and insist on their own evil ways, the Holy Spirit is grieved and silently withdraws.
This is how the conscience of professing believers slowly dies. They live in sin while claiming to honour God. A contradiction! The Israelites did the same. They witnessed so many miracles God did. But in rebellion, they grieved God over and over again. There are self styled Christians whose hearts have been hardened by rebellion.
May God give us a tender responsive heart that willingly obeys the Spirit. We can’t keep in step with the Holy Spirit if we are grieving Him! He withdraws.
Psalm 78:40-41 "How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the wasteland! Again and again they put God to the test; they vexed the Holy One of Israel."
Shalom children of God