Ephesians 4:30
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
This can be loosely paraphrased by saying, don’t make the Holy Spirit sad. This is a new concept. The God of the Old Testament had a different relationship with the people. Much like parents act one way when dealing with their second grader. While they are different with their 17 year old. Parents would say “I’m dissappointed in you” to the older child.
Why so different? The bible reveals God and His nature progressively as the years go by. In the Old Testament, the people are in their infant stage in their knowledge of God. The ephesian believers are much further along. Jesus has come and gone. Paul’s letters are some of the last words God reveals to His people.
The New Testament is a different relationship. We are born again. He gave us a new nature that is much more sensitive to Him. He is living within us. We can feel His sadness and His joy. It’s not like we relate to God through a “far away” pastor preaching from a pulpit. God is in us.
What kinds of things make Him sad? The context of the passage informs us. The previous verse tells us not to let any unwholesome word proceed from us. When we’re mean, that grieves The Lord. The following verse says to put away bitterness, wrath, anger and slander. More meanness.
The God of the Old Testament handed out some rough orders. It’s difficult to imagine Him being hurt when we’re being mean. I would compare it to a military general. This one may make decisions that greatly affect many lives. However, this same person has children, inwhich their mean behavior would greatly dissapoint to the point of sadness.
There are many reasons to not be mean. To avoid making Him sad is one. I’m not sure if it’s my conscience or if it’s God, but we may feel this godly sorrow. God is within us. He fills us with His joy. It would make sense that when we behave in a dissapointing manner, that His joy would diminish and His sorrow increase.
I can remember disobeying my mom when I was 14. I hurt her. I wasn’t disciplined. She let me sit with the knowledge that I hurt her. It was worse than discipline. That would have released some of that. So, we should care about grieving the Spirit.
Lord, help us to be kind. Help us not to grieve You.