How is it possible to make the Holy Spirit irritated, troubled, and distressed? What is it that we do to grieve the Holy Spirit?
Psalm 95:10 says God was “grieved” for 40 years with a whole generation of people. The reason God was troubled, distressed, and irritated with them was because their heart chose not to be changed. The people kept doing their own thing and refused to experience God. They did not approve, acknowledge, or think deeply about God or His ways.
Grieving the Holy Spirit occurs when we fail to be changed by God’s Word, do things His way, and follow our own best practices rather than God’s. Failing to believe God irritates Him. Refusing to heed what God declares about Himself troubles God. Lack of honor toward the Word of God distresses Him.
The unfortunate consequence of this grievance described in Psalm 95 is those who participated in it failed to enter the provision God had made available. The children of Israel who failed to believe God did not enter the Promised Land. Those who grieve the Holy Spirit jeopardize the official character stamp required to enter the Kingdom of God.
When James 2:19 say of the demons, they believe and shudder. The word shudder means “bristle, stiffen, stand up”. The demons are unchanged, unaffected by the Word of God they hear. They refuse to approve, acknowledge, or think deeply about God or His ways. They reject God.
How can we guard against grieving the Holy Spirit? How can we ensure we do not lose our official stamp of character to enter Heaven? There are two scriptures that instruct us how to not grieve the Holy Spirit. The first is Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” The second is Romans 12:1 “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”
Grieving the Holy Spirit can be summed up as a refusal to approve, acknowledge, or think deeply about God or His ways. When we are careful to lean not to our own understanding, but in everything learn what God approves, accepts, and desires; we will never grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We will retain our seal or character for redemption.
Written By: Anne Gurley
