I’ve preached again and again Ephesians 4:30, about the possibility of “grieving” the Holy Spirit. (“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”)

But not until early this morning did I realize the significance of the context in which this short command is situated.

I think Paul is teaching us some sins, specifically, that can “grieve” the Spirit of God. The verb here is “lupeo,” meaning “to cause sadness or sorrow or heaviness!” (Its cognate “lupe” is a noun even meaning “pain” at times!)

Here’s that list, for us to stringently avoid …

All are found in the immediate context of Ephesians 4:30, the “grieve not” verse. From verses 25 through 31 …

Number one … “lying!” (Verse 25 … “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.”)

Number two … “anger!” (Verse 26 … “Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”)

Number three … “stealing!” (Verse 28 … “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” A whole philosophy of industrious labor!)

Number four … “sins of the tongue!” (Verse 29 … “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.” Where “corrupt” is “sappros,” equaling “rotten, putrefying!” Then too, verse 31 … “Let all evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”)

And for those of you who want to do “more,” further excelling as Christian examples … these also must go: “bitterness, and clamour,” a lack of forgiveness and apparently some form of “loud partying,” empty and foolishly boisterous activity!

What a paragraph to study!

And I am sure, the Holy Spirit would approve!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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