The God I Never KnewSample

Grieving the Spirit

Have you ever lost a connection with someone close to you? Unfortunately, it’s very common. You may have experienced the loss of a loved one, or you may have gone through a divorce. These are very difficult examples of times when intimacy is lost. There’s a sadness that comes with the loss of intimacy and that sadness is grief. Did you know the Holy Spirit also experiences times of grief?

In today’s verse (Ephesians 4:30), Paul warns us against doing things that will cause the Holy Spirit to grieve. On its own, that statement sounds a little unclear. But if you back up a few verses (Ephesians 4:25–29), Paul explains what causes such grief: lying, stealing, and corrupt language. In other words, sin causes the Holy Spirit to grieve. It’s not because He’s legalistic or doesn’t want you to have any fun. Sin grieves the Holy Spirit because sin hurts people, and the Holy Spirit loves people.

When a believer sins and causes the Holy Spirit to grieve, it doesn’t mean he or she has lost their salvation. Thankfully, we are saved by grace through faith; but sin does cause us to lose intimacy with the Holy Spirit. However, I want to give you some good news. If you’re walking in sin, the Holy Spirit wants to set you free because He desires to be close to you. When we humble ourselves and deal with the sin in our lives, we can walk in greater intimacy with God. Each of us has sinned, but because of God’s grace and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can all walk in righteousness.

Is there an area of sin in your life that is causing you to lose intimacy with the Holy Spirit? If so, the Holy Spirit desires to be close to you once again. If you will humble yourself right now and allow the Holy Spirit to help you turn from sin, He will draw near to you. 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I humble myself right now. I don’t want to grieve You. Please reveal any area of my life that grieves You, and forgive me and help me to walk in greater intimacy with You. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. Romans 8:1