I DON’T WANT TO GREIVE GOD
Greg and Nanette Robinson
Today’s Scripture: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30, ESV
Theme: Ask God to reveal anything that grieves Him.
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
There are many things that Christ followers have in common. One is the gift of the Holy Spirit. He comes and lives within each of us when we acknowledge and turn away from our wrongdoings, surrender our lives to Jesus, and begin following Him as our Lord and Savior. This intimate, supernatural Holy Spirit, who Jesus promised us, is our helper. He increases our propensity for Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness and Self Control. Paul calls the abundant manifestation of these attributes in a Christian’s life, “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV). The Holy Spirit helps us replace our anxieties with peace and joy even through the storms of life. He prompts us towards selfless sacrifice for strangers. He strengthens our resolve to stand strong against worldly temptations, emboldening us to be a light in the darkness. He’s that internal voice that prompts us with the discernment to do what pleases God and to turn away from the things that don’t.
SEALED
Another thing that Christians have in common is that God uses the Holy Spirit to seal us as His very own, assuring our presence with Him in heaven for all eternity. Once we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, we can never lose our eternal salvation. All of this is made possible through the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of God’s only son, Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is an amazing gift from God who we should never take for granted, but the reality is…sometimes we do!
GRIEVING THE HOLY SPIRIT
As Christians we welcome the Holy Spirit through meditation, prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, praise, testimonies, healthy living and by using our unique spiritual gifts to serve the needs of others. These things allow us to draw closer to God, and they unleash the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In today’s scripture, Paul gives us a strong warning when he says, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” As Christians, when we stop acknowledging and listening to the Holy Spirit living within us, His nudgings can seem to grow silent. When we amplify worldly pleasures in lieu of spending time in God’s presence, we suppress the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. This is a miserable place for a Christian to be. Our lives, once empowered with the goodness of the Holy Spirit, slowly drift toward toxic emotions, grudges, bitterness, unforgiveness, evil speaking, cursing, lying exaggerations, rudeness, and other forms of malice. When we allow this to happen, the Holy Spirit grieves because, as our advocate, He wants what’s best for us and for us to do what pleases God.
Make it Personal: There is a powerful Christian Song that we sometimes sing during worship titled ‘Rest on Us,’ by Maverick City Music and Upper Room. I always enjoy contemplating the verse - “Come down… Spirit when you move…. you make my heart pound …when you fill the room…You’re here and I know you are moving…You’re here and I know you will fill me.” I’m also reminded of the times I have grieved the Holy Spirit. The words reflect the desperation of my own repenting heart and His faithfulness to restore. Where are you on your spiritual journey today? Are you living that fruitful spiritual life? Or, are you allowing the ungodly influences of this world to suppress the power of the Holy Spirit’s blessings on your life? Pray that God will reveal anything in your life that grieves Him. Ask our heavenly father to help you turn away from those things, so that you can enjoy life more abundantly!
Pray: God, please reveal to me those areas in my life where I grieve your Holy Spirit. I pray that you will allow the Holy Spirit to have greater power and influence over every part of my life. May the good fruit of the Holy Spirit be abundant in my life. Help me serve the needs of others and testify of my Love for you! I praise you and pray these things in the name of your son Jesus. Amen!
Read: John 10:10; Ephesians 4:32; Galatians 5:22-23
Weekly Memory Verse: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30, ESV