On grieving the Holy Spirit. This is a term we sometimes hear. In what ways does this occur? How can we address this grieving in our lives?
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Eph 4:30
Richard Sibbes
In the devotional, Refreshment for the Soul, Sibbes gives us four areas of concern to be aware of. First he advises us,
When we find the Holy Spirit is touching our souls, oh, give him entrance to come into his own chamber, as it were, to provide a room for him when he knocks. We that live in the church, the heart of each of us, without exception, tells us that we have often resisted the Holy Spirit. Do not grieve the Spirit by any means.
1) The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of holiness. Therefore He is grieved with unclean words and deeds. He stirs in our souls holy promptings. We grieve Him by rejecting these and in sinning.
2) The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of love. Sibbes warns us to take heed of the bitterness and malice in our loves. These drive away the “sweet spirit of love.”
3) “The Spirit of Christ is joined with a spirit of humility.” Citing James 4:6 he writes that: “The Spirit empties the soul of its windy vanity in order to fill it with himself.” So when we are prideful in thought and deed, we grieve and “keep out the good Spirit of God.”
4) Any sin against the conscience grieves the Holy Spirit and hinders liberty. Why liberty? When our conscience troubles us, we “become dead to good actions.” Sibbes doesn’t say as much, but this is where the devil will tell us that we’re not good enough to approach the Throne of Grace in prayer (at least that’s what happens in my case).
See also Why is the Doctrine of the Trinity Important?
Got Questions
When the word “quench” is used in Scripture, it is speaking of suppressing fire. When believers put on the shield of faith, as part of their armor of God (Ephesians 6:16), they are extinguishing the power of the fiery darts from Satan. Christ described hell as a place where the fire would not be “quenched” (Mark 9:44, 46, 48).
Likewise, the Holy Spirit is a fire dwelling in each believer. He wants to express Himself in our actions and attitudes. When believers do not allow the Spirit to be seen in our actions or we do what we know is wrong, we suppress or quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). We do not allow the Spirit to reveal Himself the way that He wants to…continue reading
Finally, Richard Sibbes concludes his thoughts by reminding us that God will finish His work in us.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Phil 1:6
Maranatha!
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