TODAY’S READING: Ephesians 4:25-32
KEY VERSE:
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” EPH 4:30
The story is told by RT Kendall of friends who followed the call of God to be missionaries in Jerusalem. When they moved into their new home in the city, they noticed that a pair of doves would make their home with them on the roof. They took it as a sign from God that they were right in the centre of His will as, in the Scriptures, the dove is one of the symbols of the presence of the Holy Spirit. After a few days, however, the friends started to notice that when they had an argument, raised their voices or slammed a door, the doves would fly away; they were so sensitive to their environment. The same is true of the Holy Spirit. He rests
His presence in an environment that welcomes, honours and does not grieve Him.
God is omnipresent. That means that He is everywhere but as followers of Jesus, we also experience the blessing of His inner presence within our lives.
There is also the manifest presence of the Holy Spirit. We have all experienced occasions when it was clear that the Spirit was manifest among us, often to save, heal, deliver and work miracles; that might be during a church service or any other time when God pulled in to your life.
How can we avoid grieving the Holy Spirit?
- Don’t use foul language.
- Don’t live a bitter life, refusing to make peace with others.
- Don’t get angry with people leading you to slander them. Pause and T.H.I.N.K. before you speak.
T – Is it Truthful?
H – Is it Helpful?
I – Is it Inspiring?
N – Is it Necessary?
K – Is it Kind?
That’s just three of many ways not to grieve the Spirit. Instead of the above, let’s be encouragers of others. One of the things the Holy Spirit loves to do in the life of every believer is to impact what comes forth from one’s mouth – sharing the Gospel, prayer, worshipping, preaching, prophesying etc.
We put a smile on the Spirit’s face when we speak the way the Spirit speaks, which is words of encouragement and life.
Aaron pronounced an amazing blessing over the people of Israel but it wasn’t when they were in the land of milk and honey; it was when they were still in the wilderness.
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
NUMBERS 6:24-26 (NIV)
The smile and the shine of the Lord’s face on our lives can be experienced even when we’re going through challenging times. In fact, that’s the time we need the manifest presence of the Spirit the most. Don’t grieve Him. Through your everyday life, cause the Spirit to smile.
ACTION STEPS
• Read Ephesians 4:25-32
• Every morning say, “Good Morning Holy Spirit” and take a moment to bask in His smile and favour.
• Pray daily to be filled with the Holy Spirit and ask Him to help you to be an encourager with every word you speak, and to speak as He does.