Another Verse about the Holy Spirit!

Isaiah 63:10 teaches us: “But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit.”

Everything hinges on that verb, “vexed.” Am I being taught the Spirit of God can indeed be “vexed? Because of “rebellion?”

Yes!

By the way, “to rebel” (in Hebrew “marah,” which means “to disobey, to be contentious, to provoke, to be bitter”) is one of the ways a person allows the devil to have “place” in their lives. To rebel against God. (“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.” 1st Samuel 15:23)

And just how does the Holy Spirit react to my misbehavior?

He is “vexed!”

Spelled “atzsab,” the word means “to cause pain!” Or “to displease.” Including “to hurt, to make sorry, to grieve!”

The verb here is (Hebrew grammar) a Piel stem! Vigorous action, energetic sinning! Intensive “grieving” of the Holy Spirit!

Wow!

Then, the Holy Spirit is not an “it!”

The Holy Spirit is a “Person!”

We say “The Third Person Of The Godhead.”

A Person with “feelings!”

He can rejoice!

He can encourage!

And He can be hurt!

What kind of relationship do I have with Him … right now?

How about you?

And if I deliberately, stubbornly, knowingly, “hurt” (disobey) the Holy Spirit … are there any consequences?

Apparently so. Because Isaiah 63:10 continues. “But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: THEREFORE HE WAS TURNED TO BE THEIR ENEMY, AND HE FOUGHT AGAINST THEM.” 

The Holy Spirit “for” me, as I obey my Lord.

Or the Holy Spirit “against” me … as I rebel!

What an important choice!

God the Spirit as my “Comforter.”

Or God the Spirit as my “enemy.”

What a Verse this morning.

“But they rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore He was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them.”

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell