Philip Dampier's Blog

One: Don’t grieve the Spirit.

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

This admonition of Paul’s comes in the middle of a list of things that Christians shouldn’t do. It would not be a far reach to see these negative behaviors as actions that would grieve the Holy Spirit. Negative actions on the part of a child of God are the reverse of what the Holy Spirit is living in the child for. When one uses corrupt speech, is filled with bitterness, slander and wrath they are acting contrary to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

On the other hand, Paul follows up with a call for kindness, gentleness, forgiveness and love on the part of the Christian. These things are encouraged by the Holy Spirit. When we do these things we yield to the work of the Spirit within us.

The Holy Spirit is in us to help us transform from worldly to spiritual. He cannot do that against our will. If we act against His guidance we will lose the spiritual gains we could have enjoyed and that will cause the Holy Spirit to grieve.

Task for Today: Inventory time. Check out your personal response to the Holy Spirit within you. Are you following the Spirit’s lead or are you trying to do things your own way? This is a major don’t. Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.