Do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit

Do not bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit

Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. – Ephesians 4:30

Isaiah 63:7-10

 7 I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love. I will praise the LORD for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

 8 He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became their Savior.

 9 In all their suffering, he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy, he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

 10 But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit.  

A young man named Ron was suffering kidney failure. Dialysis was no longer working for him. If something were not done, his life on earth would be short, critically short. He was in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Out of nowhere, a young woman named Rayleigh came alongside to help. Although they were unrelated, she was a perfect match to provide one of her kidneys to save Ron’s life. What an act of supreme altruism and remarkable generosity.

The transplant was a success, but that was only the story’s beginning. Her act of sacrificial giving began a journey of mutual attraction and, ultimately, love. Soon Ron proposed, and Ron and Rayleigh became husband and wife. Ron would have a part of Rayleigh abiding within him for the rest of his life. This proved to be transformational. How so? Ron realized that wherever he went, Rayleigh was literally with him. Her presence within him was a life changer. Her presence informed his attitudes, words, and actions. In the back of his mind, he always thought, “What would Rayleigh think about my attitudes, desires, actions, general demeanor, and disposition? Because of her sacrificial love for him, he would never want to bring sorrow, sadness, or grief to her. For Ron, her residence within was a permanent motivational paradigm shift.

In much the same way that part of Rayleigh now lived within Ron, the Holy Spirit lives in every child of the King. The Holy Spirit is present with us wherever we go. And in many ways, a witness, if not a co-participant, in all that we feel, think, say, or do.

Ephesians 4:30 Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live.

The Greek word translated as bring sorrow or grieve is lupeo. Lupeo means to sadden, cause distress, grieve, offend, or bring sorrow or unhappiness to another. It has the sense of causing someone to cry. Thus our actions and words figuratively bring tears to the eyes of the Holy Spirit. Thus, alternative translations would include: “If you use harmful words, it will make God’s Holy Spirit sad. Do not do it.” “Don’t make God’s Holy Spirit sad by using harmful words.” “Otherwise, you will only be grieving the Holy Spirit of God . . ..”

Take a moment and visualize the Holy Spirit teary-eyed and weeping because of what you have said or done. When someone loves us, why would we ever want to hurt them or cause them sorrow? Why would we ever want to break the heart of our heavenly Father?

Too often, this verse is quoted apart from its context. Not all things cause the Holy Spirit grief or sadness. What actions or attitudes are named? A partial list includes anger, theft, deception, lying, foul or abusive language, naysaying, and discouraging words.

REFLECT & PRAY

1 Corinthians 10:13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so you can endure.

Father sadly, I recognize I am just like the children of Israel long ago. Rather than gratefully acknowledging Your grace and loyalty, it is far too easy for me to rebel and defy and ignore You. Envelop me in Your grace and love and draw me close to Your loving heart.

INSIGHT

Causing grief and sadness to the Father via Holy Spirit is equivalent to a betrayal of His love, loyalty, and devotion to us. This was the case, more often than not, during Old Testament times. Regardless of the loyal love and faithfulness of the Father, the children of Israel violated their relationship with them.

The Father is pictured as the devoted, loving husband of Israel. At the same time, Israel is portrayed as His wayward, disloyal, stubborn, rebellious wife.

Isaiah 63:7-10

 7 I will tell of the LORD’s unfailing love. I will praise the LORD for all he has done. I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.

 8 He said, “They are my very own people. Surely they will not betray me again.” And he became their Savior.

 9 In all their suffering, he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy, he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years.

 10 But they rebelled against him and grieved his Holy Spirit. 

The people of Israel continually and repeatedly refused to respond as they should to their loyal, loving, devoted husband. “Instead of gratitude and greater faithfulness on the people’s part, ingratitude and rebellion followed the divine benefits” (Young). They rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit. The people were stubborn and defiant. The Holy Spirit was grieved. “Divine love was wounded” (Leupold).

How tragic! It is easy for us to reflect on such defiance 2700 years ago in quasi-disbelief and disapproval.

Yet, although we are children of the King, are we not guilty of the same thing?

1 Corinthians 10:5-12

 5 Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

 6 These things happened as a warning to us so that we would not crave evil things as they did.

 11 These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.

 12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

“Likewise, Christians are in danger of failing to appreciate God’s provisions for them in Christ and despising Him. We can feel dissatisfied rather than thankful and content” (Tom Constable).

1 Corinthians 10:12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.

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© Dr. H 2022