Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit

Ephesians 4:30

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

Webster’s Dictionary defines “to grieve” as causing emotional distress, sorrow or undue burden. The Greek word translated in this passage as “grieve” also means to cause sadness. The context of the passage surrounding this verse contains specific and practical instructions for Christian living.

In Ephesians 4:29-32, Paul is instructing us about behavior that is not to be part of our daily walk, and most of it involves our words, and actions which follow from unwholesome talk of any kind. For example, our words can portray anger, and lead us into fights, both physical and verbal. We may be harboring bitterness and resentment for something someone else did or said. We might be “talking trash” or desiring revenge towards them.

All this behavior and speech grieves the Holy Spirit of God. These things are directly opposed to the attributes and fruit of the Holy Spirit that He desires to bring forth in our lives. Paul tells us to be kind and compassionate to one another, and quick to forgive every offense against us in the same way Christ has forgiven us.

The words we speak should be carefully selected to build others up, not tear them down. Our thoughts, words and actions should be positive in every way, not negative in any respect.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Ask the Father to help you be more sensitive today to the speech and actions that will please Him, and thereby positively represent Christ to all those around you.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.

Dive Deeper: Study Ephesians 4; Matthew 12:30-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:19.