In writing to the church at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul had a very stern word to say to the church. Ephesians 4:30 says “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Paul was speaking to believers, not the world.
The person he was speaking about was the Holy Ghost or the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God Himself. The Holy Spirit is a part of the Godhead along with God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul said to not grieve Him.
How might we grieve the Holy Spirit? Grieve is defined as to cause sorrow, pain or distress. If we doubt God’s Word or walk in disobedience to it or twist or manipulate what it says I am sure it would grieve the Holy Spirit.
God the Father paid a terrible price for the salvation of the sinner by sending His only beloved Son to Calvary’s Cross to die in their place. Jesus gave His life’s blood for each of us. He died a terrible death and He did it for you even though you, like me, was not worthy. His love was so great that He gave Himself willingly both for your salvation and to please His Heavenly Father.
If you have been saved it is through Jesus Christ. He came to fulfill what the prophets had declared of Him. He fulfilled the will of the Father and opened the door to you and I that we could be saved.
Now Paul tells us “don’t grieve the Holy Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is watching over the Word of God on your behalf and if we will let Him He will teach us the truths conveyed in the Word of God. He is also our Comforter. He is also called our helper. He does not draw attention to Himself but is none the less involved in our lives.
In the days in which we live there are many who try to change what the Word of God says or take scriptures out of context and cause the Bible to appear to say what it does not say. Again, I am sure that would grieve the Holy Spirit. If we try to change the Word to accommodate what we think, we err. God’s Word will confirm itself or interpret itself if we let it. Proverbs tells us in
Chapter 3 Verse 5: Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. There is perhaps much we do not understand but to know that it is the Word of God and that God cannot lie is enough. He loves you. Don’t grieve Him.
Maranatha!