DO NOT GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Passage: Ephesians 4:25-32

Key verse: 4:30

NIV

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(A) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(B) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]:(C) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(D) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(E) doing something useful with their own hands,(F) that they may have something to share with those in need.(G)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(H) but only what is helpful for building others up(I) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(J) with whom you were sealed(K) for the day of redemption.(L) 31 Get rid of(M) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(N) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(O) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(P)

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Footnotes
  1. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you (A)speak the truth with his neighbor, for (B)we are members one of another. 26 (C)Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and (D)give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather (E)let him labor, (F)doing honest work with his own hands, so (G)that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 (H)Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give (I)grace to those who hear. 30 And (J)do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, (K)by whom you were sealed for the day of (L)redemption. 31 (M)Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 (N)Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, (O)forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, do not give the devil a foothold (25-28). Satan wants to infect the body of Christ, through the weak link. So we must not give him a foothold by lying to each other, dwelling in anger, or becoming lazy and stealing. Instead, as a healthy body, speak truthfully, deal with anger properly, and work hard with our hands to share with those in need. Second, forgive each other (29-32). Our mouths speak words that impact others. So we should only speak what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, not our benefit. How we treat another pleases or grieves the Holy Spirit of God, so we need to get rid of all that displeases him, and instead follow God's example. God has been so kind and compassionate, forgiving our sins in Christ. In obedience to the Holy Spirit, let's do so as well.

Prayer: Lord, help me to please your Spirit, especially in the way I treat your holy people, the words that come from my mouth, and in forgiving as you forgave me in Christ.

One Word: Love others; please God