August 27, 2022

Ephesians 4: 30 (NIV)

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

When God reveals himself in Scripture as a being who is both three and one we are not shocked. There is no surprise, for we knew all along that God was totally different from anything we could think or imagine.*

At the risk of sounding sacrilegious, I wonder if the Holy Spirit ever feels like Rodney Dangerfield? From being referred to as “it,” to being ignored, he doesn’t seem to get much respect. And how three distinct entities can be one entity is a topic for smarter people to discuss. Let’s just spend a few moments getting acquainted with the Holy Spirit. 

This verse in Ephesians introduces a characteristic of the Holy Spirit that we might find surprising: he has feelings. Here, Paul warns us not to grieve the Spirit (how we can cause the Spirit grief is another subject). In Galatians 6: 8, Paul also informs us that the Spirit can be pleased by our actions; and the writer of Hebrews tells us that he can be insulted (10: 29). Does knowing this about the Holy Spirit make him seem more accessible, more personal, to you? 

The Holy Spirit plays an important role in the life of a Christian. Some of his responsibilities include (but are not limited to):  

· Teach (Luke 12: 12; John 14: 26) 

· Enable (Acts 2: 4) 

· Give wisdom (Acts 6: 10; Colossian 1: 9) 

· Encourage (Acts 9: 31) 

· Warn (Acts 20: 23) 

· Lead (Romans 8: 14; Galatians 5: 18) 

· Help in our weakness (Romans 8: 26) 

· Intercede (Romans 8: 26) 

· Distribute gifts (I Corinthians 12: 4) 

· Minister (II Corinthians 3: 8) 

· Give joy (I Thessalonians 1: 6) 

· Justify (I Corinthians 6: 11) 

Other attributes of the Holy Spirit that are vital to our understanding of him and to our salvation include: 

· He gives life (John 6: 63; Romans 8: 10; II Corinthians 3: 6) 

· He knows the thoughts of God (I Corinthians 2: 11) 

· He lives in us (II Timothy 1: 14) 

· He raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8: 11) 

· He is our counselor (John 14: 16) 

As you get to know the Holy Spirit and what he can do for you, you will begin to recognize that he is your source of power. But that’s a subject for another day . . .

At the heart of who the Spirit is we find someone who cares, who is compassionate, and who can always be found by our side and on our side.*