Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption. I. IT IS HERE SUPPOSED THAT THERE IS A DIVINE INFLUENCE necessary to the salvation of fallen men. II. THE INFLUENCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS EXPRESSED IN SCRIPTURE BY A GREAT VARIETY OF PHRASES. Christians are said to be born of the Spirit; renewed, sanctified, and led by the Spirit; to be anointed and filled with the Spirit; and to be the temples in which the Spirit dwells. Here they are said to be "sealed" by the Spirit — i.e., the Divine image is impressed on the believer's heart. III. BELIEVERS ARE SAID TO BE SEALED UNTO THE DAY OF REDEMPTION. 1. The sealing or sanctification of the Spirit is a necessary preparation for heaven. 2. An evidence of our title to heaven. IV. THE SPIRIT IS GRIEVED WHEN WE ACT IN OPPOSITION TO HIS INFLUENCE. V. A SOLEMN CAUTION AGAINST GRIEVING THE SPIRIT OF GOD. 1. Indifference and carelessness in religion is opposition to the grace of God. 2. Spiritual pride grieves the Divine Spirit. 3. The Spirit is grieved when we neglect the means appointed for obtaining His influence. 4. Opposition to the strivings of the Spirit is another way in which He is often grieved. 5. There are some particular kinds of sin which are, in an eminent and peculiar sense, opposite to the work of the Spirit. (1) Among these may be reckoned impurity, intemperance, dissipation, and all the vices of sensuality. (2) The indulgence of malignant passions grieves the Spirit. (3) Contentions among Christians are opposite to the Spirit. (4) Men grieve the Spirit when they ascribe to Him those motions and actions which are contrary to His nature. (J. Lathrop, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.WEB: Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. |
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