9 Ways to Avoid Grieving the Holy Spirit

As the Holy Spirit is an equal part of the Trinity, it is important for Christians to grow in understanding of Him and His work in our lives. And to learn how to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit.

It took me a while until I finally learned the Holy Spirit is not an “It” or a “Force.” The Holy Spirit is a person with a mind, will, and emotions. He has His own purpose on earth to fulfill.

While Jesus fulfilled His calling as our redeemer by dying for our sins on the cross. Jesus is now alive and sitting at the right hand of God. But, He has given us the Holy Spirit to continue God’s will on earth.

As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells in us, but His work doesn’t stop there. The Holy Spirit is God our Comforter and Counselor.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

John 14:26

Hallelujah for that! We are not alone. God has given us His presence in the person of the Holy Spirit!

There is no other relationship on earth that should matter more to us than our relationship with God the Holy Spirit. Who seals our salvation till the day of redemption.

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Ephesians 4:30

Just like any other relationship that matters the world to you, the last thing you want is to hurt that person and make them sad. So if you can learn how to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit, why not do so?

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What Does it Mean to Grieve the Holy Spirit?

Grieving the Holy Spirit simply means not listening to the Spirit and instead living for the flesh, for what pleases ourselves. Since the Holy Spirit is God, He cannot accept sin. The Holy Spirit is our helper to guide us out of sin in our life into all truth.

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

John 16:13

The Holy Spirit loves us with an everlasting love. But, He will not force us to listen and obey His direction. When we choose to disobey we bring much sorrow to the Holy Spirit.

This grieve the Holy Spirit verse will help you understand how Israel grieved the Holy Spirit in the wilderness.

How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

Psalm 78:40-42

Don’t think you are any different than the Israelites. 1 Corinthian 10:11 shares, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”

If we are not careful, we will grieve the Holy Spirit just as the Israelites did.

There is no other relationship on earth that should matter more to us than our relationship with God the Holy Spirit.

What Grieves the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit grieves when we choose not to live according to the Word of God.

To grieve means to make sad or sorrowful. But, what makes the Holy Spirit sad?

1. We can grieve the Holy Spirit by using foul and abusive language.
2. We can grieve the Holy Spirit by being bitter.
3. We can grieve the Holy Spirit by having fits of rage and uncontrolled anger.
4. When we steal we grieve the Holy Spirit.
5. When we hold onto unforgiveness we grieve the Holy Spirit.
6. We grieve the Holy Spirit by sexual immorality.
7. By falling for deception we can grieve the Holy Spirit.
8. By being drunk we grieve the Holy Spirit.
9. We grieve the Holy Spirit by living like a pagan.
10. Negative speech can grieve the Holy Spirit.
11. Resisting the Holy Spirit grieves Him.
12. When having corrupt judgment we grieve the Holy Spirit.
13. By plotting and contriving we grieve the Holy Spirit.
14. When you omit your duties you grieve the Holy Spirit.
15. We are grieving the Holy Spirit when we return back to our old sin.
16. When closing our eyes to the Light we are grieving the Holy Spirit.
17. We grieve the Holy Spirit when we self-worship.

This list can really seem overwhelming but when we no longer listen to the Holy Spirit we can fall into sin so easily.

Let the Holy Spirit take this burden off of you and guide you. Just listen, trust, and obey Him.

What Are the Consequences of Grieving the Holy Spirit?

As a young Christian, I would confuse “the unpardonable sin” with grieving the Holy Spirit. Grieving the Holy Spirit and the unpardonable sin are two different things.

While Christians are often guilty of grieving the Holy Spirit, Christians are not able to commit the unpardonable sin. Only non-Christians can commit the unpardonable sin which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit…the rejection of truths about Jesus and the way of salvation through faith in Jesus alone. This blasphemy cannot be forgiven. (Matthew 12:31) The person who rejects Jesus will remain lost in their sin.

But grieving the Holy Spirit is something Christians can do. We do this by not listening to the Holy Spirit’s guidance into truth. 

And even though the Holy Spirit will never leave us, the consequences of grieving the Holy Spirit are still severe…

• Loss of the sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence
• Loss of joy
• Loss of God’s power in our life
• Diminished usefulness in God’s purposes for us

Nine Ways to Avoid Grieving the Holy Spirit

By knowing the ultimate value of the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance, you know how important it is to stay aware of possible ways to prevent grieving the Holy Spirit in your life.

Here are 9 tips to help you know how to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit.

1. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
2. Walk in love.
3. Be kind.
4. Purify your speech.
5. Obey His instructions.
6. Speak the truth in love.
7. Forgive those who offend you.
8. Put your trust in God.
9. Live out the fruits of the Spirit.

1. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Ephesians 1:18

2. Walk in love.

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Ephesians 5:2

3. Be kind and forgive each other.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:32

4. Purify your speech.

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Ephesians 5:19

5. Obey His instructions.

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

Exodus 19:5

6. Speak the truth in love.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Ephesians 4:15

7. Forgive those who offend you.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

Matthew 6:14

8. Put your trust in God.

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

John 14:1

9. Live out the fruits of the Spirit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

The Holy Spirit is one of the all-powerful Persons of the Trinity. He is here to comfort us and to guide us towards all truth as we study His Word.

As Christians, we can show our love and appreciation for the Holy Spirit who stays with us and seals us till the day of redemption by committing to fully obey His instructions.

About the Author – Kristin Towns

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