Inhibiting His Voice

By Carin LeRoy –

Three years ago my Dad passed away. After almost 60 years of marriage, my mother went through a painful grief process. She had known my Dad since she was 15, so his absence was felt in every area of her life. The loss seemed unbearable as she struggled without my father. Sorrow would strike at any moment—talking with friends, walking in a store, sitting in church, alone at night—and tears would overtake her. She lost interest in things she loved, and heartache kept her from experiencing joy in life. Grief and sorrow took away her ability to function in a normal capacity.

As believers, we are given the Holy Spirit on the day of our salvation. The work of the Holy Spirit in our life helps us, brings comfort, warns, guides, and gives us power to live the Christian life. In Ephesians 4:30 we are told, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (NLT). Ignoring the Spirit’s promptings inhibits Him from speaking to us. Disregarding His voice doesn’t allow Him to work in our lives preventing Him from functioning in His intended capacity. That grieves Him. He desires to guide and protect us from the harmful effects of sin and use us for God’s glory.

Just as my mom’s sorrow prevented her from functioning normally in daily life, we can also prevent the Holy Spirit from ministering in our lives. If we continue in sin ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit, we grieve Him and marginalize God. We are admonished to “live as children of light.” Allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to us and reveal himself in our lives brings God glory. May we live the Christian life as God intended.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, that Your Holy Spirit guides, comforts, warns and empowers me to live the Christian life. Help me not to grieve Your spirit by choosing to sin, but give me the strength to live the Christian life as God intended.

“And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world” (Ephesians 4:30-5:5 NLT).