Don’t grieve God

The Word of God tells Christians to be filled with the Holy Spirit, but how do we know when we are? The problem with self-examination is that it puts the focus on me, and when that happens, I am in danger of operating in my own strength instead of God’s power. However, these verses are helpful.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22–23)

This list supplies the biggest clues as to whether I am filled with the Spirit of God, or just filled with myself. If any of this fruit is absent, I need to determine what is wrong in my spiritual life. It might be that I’ve insulted someone, been impatient or unkind. Maybe I’ve over-indulged, not relying on the self-control the Spirit gives, but giving in to my own desires. Confession and repentance are the only ‘fix’ for this. The Spirit is willing to fill me, but I need to be empty!

One item in this list of spiritual fruit has something to do with emotions. Whenever my joy slips away, it is usually a result of grieving the Holy Spirit. I say that because the Spirit of God lives in me, and whatever He is experiencing, so am I. If I make Him sad, I can usually feel it.

Tozer says we grieve the Spirit by insulting Him, ignoring Him, resisting Him and doubting Him. The passage that tells me not to grieve Him gives other clues of how that can happen . . .

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:25–32)

Lying will grieve Him. Sin motivated by anger will also do it. Vain ambition rather than honest labor from a heart willing to share has an negative effect the Holy Spirit. So does the way I talk. I’m not to be bitter or filled with anger and wrath. I’m not to shout at people or slander them with malicious intent. The Holy Spirit is not like that, and if I am, then sin is running my life instead of Him.

^^^^^^^^^

Jesus, I feel sad today, and from reading this list, it seems the root of it is doubt. My body is not well and while I know that You can fix anything, I keep thinking of Job and wondering if this is just another test. If so, instead of trusting You with the care of my body, I’m starting to question Your goodness. That grieves the Holy Spirit, and I need to pray about it right now.