As we discussed the Holy Spirit last night, we gave just passing comments to the issue of how the Holy Spirit can be blasphemed. While I do not believe that particular sin can be replicated today, the Holy Spirit can still be grieved today.
How is the Holy Spirit grieved? My favorite commentator answers:
The Spirit’s fire is quenched whenever His presence is ignored and His promptings are suppressed and rejected, or the fervor which He kindles in the heart is dampened by unspiritual attitudes, criticisms, or actions.
Scripture further points to a number of specific ways in which we might do that, including,
- Forgetting God — “And they forgot His deeds, And His miracles that He had shown them” (Ps. 78:11; cf. v. 40: Is. 63:10).
- Grumbling — “Then they spoke against God; They said, ‘Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?’” (Ps. 78:19)
- Disobedience — “They did not keep the covenant of God, And refused to walk in His law” (Ps. 78:10).
- Disbelief — “Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation” (Ps. 78:22).
- Pride — “A man’s pride will bring him low, But a humble spirit will obtain honor” (Prov. 29:23; cf. also Lk. 18:9-14; Phil. 2:1-3).
- Self-Effort — “Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3).
- Resistance to the Spirit — “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19).
- Hypocrisy — “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things, and do not do them.” (Matt. 23:2-3).
- Legalism — “…you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition” (Matt. 15:6). Also, “…the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Cor. 3:6).
Words of Grace 