Today's scripture: Ephesians 4:30
On Friday, we looked at how we should avoid “unwholesome” words. When we don’t,
we “grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”
What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit”? To grieve is to “cause to
suffer.” Can you imagine it? Causing the Holy Spirit—part of the triune God—to
suffer? As Paul often wrote, may it never
be!
What is the result of our grieving the Spirit? I researched this concept,
and the Adam Clarke Commentary says, when we “give to sin,” we grieve the
Spirit so He “shall withdraw both [His] light and presence …” The Matthew
Henry Concise Commentary exhorts, “Provoke not the holy,
blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious influences.”
Oh my … This puts my using “unwholesome” words—or sinning at all—in a new
perspective. I need the Spirit’s affirmation and conviction daily. And to think
that my sin might cause Him to withdraw His influence?
That causes me to grieve.
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