“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
“What Happened?” is the question when ‘IT’ happens. And ‘IT’ is not really something I can always put a finger on! Each night around 9pm, my lovely wife and I take a seat next to each other and turn on the TV. Watching ‘a show’ is our way of winding down before bed time. Once in a while, the TV screen gets interrupted and freezes when the internet signal goes out.
I have 3 potential internet failure points… the incoming Internet Terminal, the Wireless Server, the TV itself. All 3 need to be ‘in sync’ and uncluttered to be able to ‘talk’ to each other. When their memory buffers get filled with old stuff, turning them off and on again will clear and reset them, making them capable of clearly receiving the internet signal as it is sent!
Sometimes the program we’re watching locks up and I’ll have to call for a ‘break,’ then turn everything off and on again. It takes time to ‘boot’ back up, but when it does, interruptions are no longer a problem. One doesn’t have to understand computer technology to catch the metaphor between internet signals and the communication between the Holy Spirit and ME.
The FACT that this verse says ‘DO NOT GRIEVE the HOLY SPIRIT,’ proves that it IS possible to DO so. The term ‘grieve’ emits the exact same sensation that comes from losing a loved one to death. This verse says that the PERSON of the Holy Spirit CAN be provoked to feel great sadness or loss because of MY actions! Chapters 4-6 of Ephesians list many grieving points.
I received the Holy Spirit when I was saved as a boy. I was sealed and secured for eternity when the Holy spirit came to reside in me. Sadly, I have OFTEN turned the room of my heart, the place He resides, into a disgusting, filthy pigsty by MY choices! Since he can’t go away, He is forced to live in squalor, until I take measures to clean it up, and keep it clean… WITH HIM!
Have I loved my wife today… deliberately. Even when she doesn’t seem to deserve it. Has my wife honored me? Did I show the appreciation or patience as needed? Have I been selfish in my desires and attitudes, or am I seeking to find ways to show love to Him and the people around me? Do I selfishly lie and lust, or do I love and lean on the one who lives in me?
I do NOT want to make God sad, or grieve Him anymore than I already have. Do you? Are you? Today I’m going to spend time reading Ephesians 4-5 and ask God where I might be hurting Him. Have YOU ‘reset’ your Body, Soul and Spirit to LIVE FOR Him and bring Him JOY?
