Post by Aeliana on Sept 30, 2022 6:34:27 GMT -8
Ephesians 4:29-32
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
One way in which we limit or short–circuit the effective work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is through grieving the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).
This admonition is embedded within a passage in which Paul admonished the believers in Ephesus to “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” but to “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:17, 24). He told them to put away from their lives lying (v. 25), anger (v. 26), stealing (v. 28), and corrupt speech (v. 29).
He summed up his statement to them, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (vv. 31–32).
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? We grieve Him when we disobey God’s commandments and when we choose to act in unrighteous ways. In other words, we know what to do and then choose to do the opposite.
The Ephesians knew it was not godly to lie, steal, be angry with one another, or speak cutting, hurting words to one another. They knew that such things gave “place to the devil” (v. 27).
Paul lived and ministered among the Ephesians for two years, and his ministry had a powerful impact on the city of Ephesus. And yet, Paul had to remind the Christians not to do those things! It was as if he had to go back to square one with them. When the Ephesians broke the most obvious of God’s commandments, they caused sorrow in the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “Your behavior breaks the heart of God.”
The Holy Spirit is grieved because He loves us and He deeply desires to reward us, bless us, and see good fruit produced in and through us. He knows that sin destroys us and causes negative consequences in our lives. When we know that loved ones are doing something that will cause them harm, we are grieved. So is He.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
One way in which we limit or short–circuit the effective work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is through grieving the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30).
This admonition is embedded within a passage in which Paul admonished the believers in Ephesus to “no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk” but to “put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph. 4:17, 24). He told them to put away from their lives lying (v. 25), anger (v. 26), stealing (v. 28), and corrupt speech (v. 29).
He summed up his statement to them, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (vv. 31–32).
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? We grieve Him when we disobey God’s commandments and when we choose to act in unrighteous ways. In other words, we know what to do and then choose to do the opposite.
The Ephesians knew it was not godly to lie, steal, be angry with one another, or speak cutting, hurting words to one another. They knew that such things gave “place to the devil” (v. 27).
Paul lived and ministered among the Ephesians for two years, and his ministry had a powerful impact on the city of Ephesus. And yet, Paul had to remind the Christians not to do those things! It was as if he had to go back to square one with them. When the Ephesians broke the most obvious of God’s commandments, they caused sorrow in the Holy Spirit. Paul said, “Your behavior breaks the heart of God.”
The Holy Spirit is grieved because He loves us and He deeply desires to reward us, bless us, and see good fruit produced in and through us. He knows that sin destroys us and causes negative consequences in our lives. When we know that loved ones are doing something that will cause them harm, we are grieved. So is He.
