often so foolish, preferring things that hurt and cripple us. We fool ishly grieve the heart of the Holy Spirit who desires and purposes better things for each of us. The word "grieve" raises the question, "Is it possible for God to suffer?" The Holy Spirit is just as much God as is the Father or the Son. Can you and I bring pain to His great loving heart? We are so often foolish and prefer things that hurt and cripple rather than that which will bring joy and peace. Make no mistake, the Scripture does not read, "Grieve not 'away' the Holy Spirit of God." Once you have been baptised by Him you can never lose Him. He is with you to stay, although He can be sorrowed. Paul assures us, "He who hath begun a good work in you (when you were saved) will per form it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6). We are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise unto the redemption of God's own posses sion (Ephesians 1:12). That refers to the day when we receive our new resurrection bodies. In the Old as well as the New Testament we learn of those who have grieved the Holy Spirit (Psalm 78:40; 95:10; Isaiah 63:10). For 40 years Israel wandered in unbelief and sin in the wilderness through disobedience. Think of the patience and persistence of the Holy Spirit. We so often offend Him the same today. The Ephesian believers were exhorted not to be a part of the old, pagan environ ment in which they had lived be fore they were converted. Striking ly strange that a Christian should have to be asked not to live like non-Christians. In the context we see the impurity that was a part of this area (Ephesians 4:19, 20). We
also see the falsehood and decep tion which had been a part of the community life. A lie of any kind is inconsistent with the character of the one in whom the Holy Spirit is dwelling. Paul also mentions anger, mal ice and kindred emotions. These all disrupt proper spiritual rela tionships. In any controversy the instant we feel anger we have al ready ceased striving for the truth and have begun struggling for our selves, becoming ego-centric. The Apostle also warns about corrupt speech and how our tongues may grieve the Holy Spir it (also 5:4). James points out that the tongue can be set on fire by hell when not properly controlled by the Lord. You need to be very careful with your tongue. Improp er speech can send others AWAY from Christ. Here are some of the major items that I have listed for you, but we need to read more in Ephesians 4. Study this chapter and you will be impressed with things that grieve the Holy Spirit of God. I wonder, does your attitude to ward the Bible bring sorrow to the Spirit of God who wrote it? You have time for newspapers, maga zines, books, radio, television, but how much of your daily schedule do you devote to reading the Scripture? (I speak to my own heart as well as to yours!) It surely grieves the Spirit to see those who sing hymns and act nice in church, but then who go out and live for the world, the flesh, and the devil the rest of the week. Their hearts are not right with God. Turning from the Lord's wise and loving council to our own follies and foolishness tires the marvel ous patience of the Lord. It is His unchanging purpose to conform Page 63
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