T.H.I.N.K.!!!

Sins against the Holy Spirit,part 2.

Yesterday, we talked about sins that can be committed against the Holy Spirit, specifically grieving the Holy Spirit.

Foul and abusive language makes the Holy Spirit sad and sorrowful, as does bitterness.

So what else grieves the Holy Spirit? Coming back to Ephesians 4:29-32, the apostle Paul writes:

“And do not grieve God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Fits of rage and uncontrolled anger make the Holy Spirit sad and sorrowful

“Rage” speaks of the person who is easily angered and who raises their voice, shouting and screaming. “Slander” is speaking evil of others behind their backs. “Malicious behavior” speaks of ill will and plotting evil against someone.

This basically describes a person who is hellbent on destroying another, for whatever reason.

We have all been hurt in life

Look, all of us have been hurt in life, but we have a choice as to how we react.

We can be like the Moneylender Shylock in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, demanding our “pound of flesh.” We can say, “They did this to me, therefore I will have my vengeance!”

Or you can believe God when He says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay . . . ”

Try to T.H.I.N.K.

Augustine had a sign on his living room wall that said, “He who speaks evil of an absent man or woman is not welcome at this table.”

“But we don’t have anything to talk about now!” Perhaps you don’t.

Instead, try the acronym “T.H.I.N.K.” the next time you are not sure whether or not you should say something.

• T- Is it Truthful?
• H- Is it Helpful?
• I- Is it Inspiring?
• N-Is it Necessary?
• K- Is it Kind?

Instead of speaking evil of someone, we are to “be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,”

“But they don’t deserve that!”

True, but neither do you or I, and God still forgave us.

Paul concludes this passage by saying, “Just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Forgiven people should be forgiving people. Otherwise, we are grieving the Spirit.