Introduction
On this sixth day of our series on “What Must I Do to Please God?”, we turn to the essential command to “be filled with and yield to the Spirit” while ensuring that we “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” The Bible teaches that pleasing God requires more than just following a set of rules; it requires living in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Romans 6:19 and Ephesians 4:30 and 5:18 highlight the necessity of yielding to the Spirit and avoiding anything that would grieve Him.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we allow God’s presence to guide and empower us. Yielding to the Spirit means giving Him control over our actions, attitudes, and decisions. However, when we act in disobedience or indulge in sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Grieving the Spirit hinders our relationship with God and prevents us from living a life that truly pleases Him. Today’s focus is on understanding what it means to be filled with the Spirit and how we can avoid grieving Him.
Now Let’s Eat Some Meat!
Romans 6:19 (AMP): "I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you presented your bodily members [as slaves] to impurity and to moral lawlessness, leading to further lawlessness, so now offer your members [your abilities, talents] as slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification [that is, being set apart for God's purpose]."
Context of Romans 6:19
In Romans 6, Paul addresses the transformation that occurs when a believer transitions from living in sin to living in righteousness. Before coming to Christ, we were enslaved to sinful desires, but now, having been set free, we are called to yield our bodies and lives to righteousness. This transformation is part of living in the Spirit. Paul calls believers to present their entire selves to God—no longer for sinful purposes but for His will. This shift marks the beginning of yielding to the Spirit, letting God’s righteousness direct our actions and choices.
Paul’s command is clear: we must consciously choose to align ourselves with God’s purpose, allowing His Spirit to lead us. Yielding to the Spirit is not a passive act but an intentional decision to let God work in and through us for His glory.
Ephesians 4:30 (AMP): "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God's own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin]."
Context of Ephesians 4:30
Paul’s instruction to the Ephesians here emphasizes the importance of living in a way that honors the Holy Spirit. To grieve the Spirit means to cause sorrow or pain to Him by our actions, attitudes, or behaviors. The Holy Spirit is God’s seal on the believer, marking us as His own and securing our salvation. When we act in ways that contradict God’s commands—whether through sin, disobedience, or disregard for His will—we grieve the Spirit.
Grieving the Holy Spirit damages our relationship with God and hinders our spiritual growth. The call to not grieve the Spirit is a call to live in constant awareness of God’s presence in our lives, ensuring that our thoughts and actions are aligned with His will.
Ephesians 5:18 (AMP): "Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him."
Context of Ephesians 5:18
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul contrasts being controlled by wine (or any form of indulgence) with being filled with the Spirit. The call to be filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but an ongoing process. It means living in a state of continual surrender and openness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Just as alcohol can influence a person’s behavior, the Holy Spirit should influence every part of a believer’s life, shaping decisions, actions, and attitudes.
Being filled with the Spirit is essential to living a life that pleases God. It allows us to reflect Christ’s character and bear spiritual fruit. The more we are filled with the Spirit, the more we are empowered to resist temptation and walk in righteousness.
Be Filled with and Yield to the Spirit
Key Phrase: “Offer your members as slaves to righteousness.”
Pleasing God involves yielding to the Holy Spirit in every aspect of our lives. When we offer ourselves to righteousness, we submit our thoughts, actions, and desires to God’s control. Being filled with the Spirit means allowing Him to guide our decisions and shape our character. This is not a passive act; it requires daily surrender and openness to God’s leading.
Yielding to the Spirit enables us to live in a way that aligns with God’s will and reflects His holiness. It transforms our hearts, empowers us to overcome sin, and allows us to bear fruit that pleases God.
Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit
Key Phrase: "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit."
Grieving the Holy Spirit happens when we act in ways that contradict God’s commands or resist His leading. This could be through sin, disobedience, neglecting our spiritual disciplines, or failing to love others as God has called us to. The Spirit is sensitive to our actions. When we grieve Him, we experience a disruption in our relationship with God.
To avoid grieving the Holy Spirit, we must be intentional in our walk with God. This includes practicing regular repentance, seeking forgiveness, and striving to live in a way that honors His presence within us.
Relevance to Today’s Believers: For today’s Christians, being filled with the Spirit and avoiding grieving the Holy Spirit are essential aspects of living a life that pleases God. In a world filled with distractions, temptations, and pressures, we are constantly faced with choices—whether to yield to the flesh or to yield to the Spirit. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can live in a way that brings glory to God and fulfills His purpose for our lives.
Remaining filled with the Spirit requires daily surrender and intentional pursuit of God’s will. By yielding to the Spirit, we grow in spiritual maturity, reflect Christ’s love, and live in alignment with God’s commands.
The Whole of What It Means to Please God
While today’s focus is on being filled with the Spirit and avoiding grieving Him, this is just one part of the larger picture of what it means to please God. In previous days, we discussed choosing to serve God, walking in Christ, and remaining in Him. All these principles work together to create a life that is fully surrendered to God’s will.
To please God, we must live in constant awareness of His presence, yielding to the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives. This includes seeking His guidance, walking in obedience, and being intentional about avoiding anything that would grieve Him.
Galatians 5:16 (AMP): "But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]."
Walking in the Spirit is the key to avoiding sin and living in a way that pleases God. It is through the Spirit’s power that we are able to overcome temptation and live a life that honors God.
Summary
On this sixth day of our series, we explored the importance of being filled with and yielding to the Holy Spirit and the command to not grieve the Spirit. Romans 6:19 and Ephesians 4:30 and 5:18 make it clear that pleasing God requires a life that is fully surrendered to the Holy Spirit. When we yield to the Spirit, we align our actions, thoughts, and attitudes with God’s will. But when we act in disobedience or neglect our spiritual life, we grieve the Spirit and hinder our relationship with God.
Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continual process of surrender and obedience. To please God, we must live in constant dependence on the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us in every area of life. As we continue in this series, let today’s focus on being filled with the Spirit encourage you to seek His presence daily, yield to His leading, and live in a way that brings glory to God.
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