Did you know that we can make the Holy Spirit sad by our disobedience?
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Ephesians 4:30, 31
When I was a kid, third grade actually, I made my mother sad. During show-and-tell at school, I told a whopper (a lie) about something my father did to circumvent the law. My teacher confronted me about it after class and I admitted my lie, just to get attention. Then my teacher uttered these words every child dreads. “Clare, I will be calling your mother as soon as you leave.” A death sentence! I can’t ever remember being afraid of my mother. She was the greatest mother a child could ever have. I tell people, the only gripe I have with my parents is that I can’t blame my dysfunctions on them! But the thought of making her sad – of embarrassing her, crushed me.
I came home from school, walked in the kitchen and saw my mother with wet eyes, sitting at the kitchen table – with both hands around a coffee cup, sad. I had no idea what to say other than a quiet, “Hi.” I walked slowly past her and went upstairs to my room. I knew I had “grieved” my mother. My sin had come between us and separated us emotionally in a way I could not comprehend. But even at nine years old, I knew what I needed to do.
I went downstairs, confessed to her what I had done, told her how sorry I was and asked her to forgive me. Almost instantly I remember her wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into her embrace. Our relationship was restored and the incident was never again mentioned.
The Spirit is waiting for you. If you’ve felt spiritually dry lately, could it be a sin that has put distance between the Holy Spirit and you? Have you made the Holy Spirit sad? He’s waiting right now for you to come to him, confess that sin and restore that broken relationship again.
For years, I’ve told people that I’m not afraid of an occasional dry spell in my spiritual life. But what scares the wits out of me is that I’d get so used to being spiritually flat that it becomes the “new norm” for me.
So, if you’ve been sitting in church, going through the paces, but your passion for God isn’t what it used to be, take some time to examine your life. Is there a person who you dislike, a sin that clings that you just can’t let go of, a dream that’s lost and you are bitter about it?
Talk to the Holy Spirit about it right now. He’s waiting for you.
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