Grieving the Holy Spirit (Part 2)
George Stiekes
Last week we ran Part 1 of this article. We continue today with an additional look at the description of the Holy Spirit in the Bible. May it also instruct us concerning the ways we grieve Him, and build our resolve to please him in every way. – Ed.
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you (I Corinthians 3:16).
The believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God Who is given to accomplish several purposes in the believer’s life. However, if the believer fails to accomplish those purposes, then the Spirit of God is grieved and the believer fails to experience the joy of the Lord and the blessing of God in His life. We are commanded not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30).
Last week, we noted seven of the Spirit’s descriptive titles which not only helps us to understand Who He is but what it is that grieves Him as well. Thus far, we noted that He is the Spirit of Holiness, the LORD, of Life, Power, Love, Truth and Faith.
Hebrews 10:29 – The Spirit of Grace. This is a reference to His original wooing us to faith in Christ. Any rebellion, hardness of heart, refusal of forgiveness, bitterness, complaining, lukewarmness toward God and backsliding grieves the Holy Spirit. It is in opposition of the purpose of the Spirit’s role in originally convicting you of sin and bringing to faith in Christ.
Ephesians 1:17 – The Spirit of wisdom and revelation. I Corinthians 2:11 reveals that the Spirit knows the deep things of God while John 14:26 reminds us that He is our teacher. The word “revelation” has to do with new truths. It is the Spirit of God that motivates us to desire a greater understanding of God’s Word and a greater knowledge of our God. We constantly need more and more wisdom and understanding that we might continually be drawing ourselves into a greater intimacy with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. To reject that motivation is to grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
Romans 8:15 – The Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father. It is the Spirit of Adoption Who enables us to enter into the kind of relationship with God the Father that unbelievers can never experience. He then assists us in a right relationship, an intimate relationship with God as our Father with all of the benefits of being a child of God.
1 Peter 4:14 – Spirit of Glory. This could be an illusion to the Shekinah Glory of God which references our practicing His presence in our lives. You will remember that the Children of Israel recognized His presence in the cloud that moved them across the wilderness by day and the pillar of fire that rested over the Tabernacle by night. There was a sense of comfort and strength recognizing His presence and that’s how God wants us to live today, with a constant recognition of His presence by His Holy Spirit Who dwells within us. How often are you aware of His presence in your life? When our minds are set on worldly things instead of heavenly things, the Spirit of God is grieved. God wants us to live daily with eternity in view. Our time here on earth is like a fraction of a second compared to our time in eternity.
In Galatians 4:6, the Spirit of God is referred to as the Spirit of God’s Son. In Romans 8:9, He is called the Spirit of Christ and in Philippians 1:19, He is the Spirit of Jesus Christ. This is very important because one of His main roles is to testify of Jesus Christ (John 15:26) and glorifying Christ (John 16:14), turning our attention to Christ. This must be emphasized because there are those who get off on tangents about the Holy Spirit. We ought to be on a constant tangent, continually occupied with God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. If we place our attention on the Holy Spirit, we will grieve Him and yet if we fail to recognize His role in our lives we will grieve Him as well. Yes, we are indwelt by the Spirit of God and He is part of the Holy Trinity possessing all of the characteristics of God the Father and God the Son. The Psalmist asked, Where can I go from your Spirit (Psalm 139:7). There is no place we can go to get away from Him for He dwells within our lives. But His purpose is to make us aware of sin in our lives and to lead us to God the Father and God the Son.
Ephesians 4:30 – And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The moment you became a Christian you were sealed unto the day of redemption. God marked you as His purchased possession and when the final day of redemption takes place you will be transformed into His likeness. We shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is (I John 3:2). Philippians 3:21 states that He will change our vile bodies so that they will be fashioned like unto His glorious body.
There is one more title we must not forget. In John 14:16, He is called “The Comforter,” which also means “Helper.” And the text states that He will dwell with us FOREVER. In this dispensation, He cannot be taken away. His dwelling in the believer is permanent. The designation is a note of encouragement. No matter what takes place in our lives, we have the comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit of God available to us.
Thank God for His presence in your life today. Commit yourself afresh to God to carry out all that God intended when He chose to give you His Holy Spirit.
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.