Grieving the Holy Spirit
Well, our President had made the front news again with a very distasteful video portraying the Obamas as apes and calling an Olympian as a loser and doesn’t represent his country in the current Winter Olympic because “a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.”
The attacks continue and instead of leading and uniting, President Trump has and continues to show no respect for others’ opinions and thoughts. I do not wish President trump any harm, but this man did not learn his lesson when he was nearly assassinated and instead of humbling himself has begun to act more and more like Saul for Israel wanted a human king and this what America has “a king” who respects no one but himself.
On a different note, I was speaking to a friend about church matters that included homosexuality. My friend, who is a preacher, spoke to the young lady about this matter and she said that “God is Love” and he would not send a person to hell if they were a practicing homosexual. She shared the same thought that her mother and grandmother felt and that God would take pity on that person as they were a practicing homosexual.
Newsflash—God is love but he hates sin and practicing homosexuality is a sin. One has to go no further than the Old Testament to see this and back then, these folks practicing homosexuality, lesbianism or have sex with an animal were put to death. Folks, why do you think Sodom & Gomorrah were destroyed and if you want further proof check out sodomy and where it began, in Sodom.
Don’t take my word, look at Leviticus 18:23, Leviticus 20:13 & the story from Genesis 19:1-11 concerning Sodom, the two angels, Lot and the men in Sodom who wanted to have sex with them.
So, you might say there is no information in the New Testament, look again at 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, 1 Timothy 1:8-11 & Romans 1:18-32 for your answer.
Why do I speak about this, because if you want to enter the kingdom then you must repent and do not practice—Read the following:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NKJV) 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]homosexuals, nor [b]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were [c]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
I could write more on this subject, but I want to get a point across and that God is not just love for he loves the sinner which includes us both, but God hates sin and there is no compromise with God. Don’t fall for the doctrine that God loves us and leave out that God hates sin.
I am very weary of preachers who are leading their flock straight into hell—The day of reckoning is soon and we, as Christians, are to read the Bible, the whole Bible, and adhere his word that is tried and true.
Turn to Isaiah 63:10 (NIV) Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So, he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.
Israel and its people in the Old Testament not only rebelled and grieved the Holy Spirit—so what is grieving the Holy Spirit? Grieving the Holy Spirit is willfully thwarting his leading by disobedience or rebellion.
Acts 7:51 (NIV) says 51 “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
The icing on the cake is found in Ephesians 4:28-32 (NIV) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
As you look into the mirror, do you grieve the Holy Spirit? Brother Paul gives us the warning not to use unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, brawling, slander, and bad attitudes toward others.
The Holy Spirit is within you and me for this is a seal that we belong to God and the Holy Spirit will speak to you. In fact, Paul says to be kind and compassionate to one another and forgive one another for Christ forgave each of us.
The Lord’s prayer reminds us to forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors as well as both Matthew and Mark teaching about the law of forgiveness.
As Christians, we wish to be like God and become one with Christ, which includes and have included that Christ forgives and forgave each one of us, so pass it on to others.
As an observer, we have met those who will not forgive and if they are not willing to forgive, then can they say they have become one with Christ?
In closing, turn to Luke 23:34 (NIV) 34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross—his life and was willing to forgive the sins of the world which included those who crucified him. If we say we love Christ and wish to follow him,32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Action speaks louder than words—and take note of not grieving the Holy Spirit for we carry the guarantee that we belong to God.
