Ephesians 4:30
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
How do we grieve the Holy Spirit? We were just given a list of things to not do and what habits to replace them with. Here's that list: stop lying, but speak and live the truth, be angry in a appropriate way, but don't stay that way which can lead to sin, don't steal, but work and be generous, let our words be good and edifying, not destructive. Not following these guidelines would grieve the Holy Spirit.
God wants us to be like Him; loving, others' centered, kind, forgiving and so on. When we are His child, we aren't to be selfish and self centered. All of these bad traits are practiced to serve self. That's not God's way. We've been born again with new hearts. The Holy Spirit is working to influence us towards Him. We have to resist Him and His efforts to continue in those bad ways. That grieves Him.
Obedience can be difficult. However, He goes a long way to make it easier. Philippians 2:13 says, "For God is the One working in you both to will and to work according to His good pleasure." That's amazing. His works in us to do good things, but also to will. He puts a "want to" in us. The new heart He gave us has instilled new desires. Making obedience much easier.
We will always have some wrestlings with obedience. Use the saying from the man who said, "Lord I believe, help my unbelief", Some times we excitedly run towards obedience. Other times it's difficult. We always have a flicker of belief. Isaiah 42:3 says, "A bruised reed He will not break and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice." Obedience can be difficult. Ask Him and He'll help.
Very little about God is for Him. He is so patient and kind. The only things He wants is for us to love Him, love others and to praise Him. He deserves our love for all He's done for us. We should follow His model in loving others, because He said to and because it further frees us from selfishness. We should praise Him for He deserves it. Creation is so brilliant and beautiful. Our lives are so full, rich and awesome; He is worthy of praise.
It's wonderful to reflect back and see how faithful God has been as He kept us from evil. So many pitfalls we been saved from. We can rest that He'll keep us the rest of the way.
Thank You, Lord that You are working to make us like You. Help us to deny self and yield to You. Thank You for keeping us. Help us not to grieve You.