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

I’ve been reading a commentary on Ephesians, and on this verse, it pointed out how the fact that we can grieve the Holy Spirit shows that the Spirit is a Person. It says that the root idea of the word ’grieve’ is ‘to cause pain’. The Spirit dwells in us, and experiences joy and pain through our lives.

Just how parents can be grieved at the poor actions of their children, so can the Holy Spirit be grieved by our sin.

It also shows just how much we are loved. Because of a parent’s love for their child, they are grieved when their child does wrong. Because of God’s great love for us, His Spirit is grieved at our sin. May that, in its own way, be a comfort and a peace.

May it also motivate us to holiness. May His love draw our hearts to him, and motivate us to love Him more and more and do what pleases Him.

He has sealed us, as it says at the end of the verse, declaring us to be His possession. Thank you, Heavenly Father – help us to rejoice in that and live it out all the more.

David Lather – Creek Road