A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE EPHESIANS 

DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT  

Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” 

The words you speak are heard, not only by those around you but also by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit desires to hear you speak God’s word, His Good News of salvation as well as words of confession and repentance. He is elated when you speak words of absolution to a fellow believer who has sincerely confessed their sin. These are the words that the Holy Spirit prompts you to speak from your heart that has been cleansed through your baptism. 

There are words that the Holy Spirit does not want to hear you speak. These words would include ones that indicate you have rejected the baptismal gift of forgiveness of your sins which the Holy Spirit worked in you. The Holy Spirit is grieved when you reject the faith the Holy Spirit worked in you as meaningless.   

To grieve the Holy Spirit is to afflict the Holy Spirit with deep sorrow because of saying and doing the wrong things. It means refusing to follow the Spirits leading and instead living for the flesh, for what pleases yourself. You make the Holy Spirit sad and distressed when you disobey the Lord. The Holy Spirit of grace loves you with an everlasting love, but He will not force you to listen and obey His direction.  

God has sent His Holy Spirit to call you to faith in His Son. Remember these words of Ephesians 1:13-14, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing (your) inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” The Holy Spirit rejoices when He hears words of the Gospel, the message of hope and your worship of Jesus flow from your lips.   

Prayer: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14)  

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice,
Him serve with mirth, His praise forthtell;
Come ye before Him and rejoice. 

Know that the Lord is God indeed;
Without our aid He did us make.
We are His folk, He doth us feed,
And for His sheep He doth us take. 

O enter then His gates with praise;
Approach with joy His courts unto.
Praise, laud, and bless His name always,
For it is seemly so to do. 

For why? The Lord our God is good:
His mercy is forever sure.
His truth at all times firmly stood
And shall from age to age endure. 

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heav’n and earth adore,
From us and from the angel host
Be praise and glory evermore.  (LSB 791)