Topical Bible: the Personality of Holy Spirit: He Can be Grieved

Bible > Topical > the Personality of Holy Spirit

◄ the Personality of Holy Spirit: He Can be Grieved ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Holy Spirit, as the third person of the Trinity, possesses a distinct personality characterized by attributes and emotions that reflect His divine nature. One of the profound aspects of the Holy Spirit's personality is His capacity to be grieved. This characteristic underscores the personal and relational nature of the Holy Spirit, highlighting His involvement in the lives of believers and His desire for holiness and righteousness.

Biblical Basis for the Grievability of the Holy Spirit

The concept of the Holy Spirit being grieved is explicitly mentioned in the New Testament. In Ephesians 4:30, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." . This verse indicates that the Holy Spirit can experience grief, an emotion typically associated with personal beings, not impersonal forces. The context of this passage suggests that actions contrary to God's will, such as bitterness, anger, and slander, can cause the Holy Spirit to be grieved.

The Nature of Grieving the Holy Spirit

Grieving the Holy Spirit involves actions, attitudes, or behaviors that are inconsistent with the character and holiness of God. The Holy Spirit, who indwells believers, is deeply concerned with their spiritual growth and sanctification. When believers engage in sin or resist His guidance, it causes sorrow to the Holy Spirit. This grieving is not a passive response but an active expression of His love and desire for believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Implications for Believers

Understanding that the Holy Spirit can be grieved has significant implications for the Christian life. It calls believers to a heightened awareness of their actions and attitudes, encouraging them to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. The awareness of the Holy Spirit's grief serves as a motivation for believers to pursue holiness, seek forgiveness, and cultivate a life that reflects the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.

The Relational Aspect of the Holy Spirit

The ability of the Holy Spirit to be grieved emphasizes His relational nature. Unlike an impersonal force, the Holy Spirit engages with believers on a personal level, guiding, teaching, and comforting them. His grief is a testament to His deep involvement in the believer's life and His commitment to their spiritual well-being. This relational dynamic invites believers to cultivate a close and responsive relationship with the Holy Spirit, being attentive to His leading and sensitive to His presence.

Conclusion

The concept of the Holy Spirit being grieved is a profound reminder of His personal nature and His active role in the life of believers. It underscores the importance of living a life that honors God and aligns with His purposes, recognizing that our actions can impact the heart of the Holy Spirit.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
... If we deny the personality of the Holy Spirit, many ... This passage sets before us the
Holy Spirit, not merely ... to us the precious discoveries which He has made. ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter i the personality of.htm

The Personality of the Holy Ghost
... little instruction concerning the proper personality of the ... understood upon the
supposition that he is actually a ... be grieved: "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the personality of the holy.htm

The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
... His brightness is complete in all our personality, and the ... The Holy Spirit allows
Himself to be grieved, provoked, and ... He is never weary of repeating the same ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxi the love of the.htm

The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
... Such acts indicate personality. ... He may be grieved (Eph.4:30); insulted (Heb.10.29);
lied to ... Indeed, the sin against the Holy Spirit is a much more grievous ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of the holy.htm

The Channel of Power.
... Your Personality Needed. ... The Holy Spirit came down for the specific purpose of telling
the world about Jesus. ... Only He can convince men's minds and consciences. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the channel of power.htm

The Blessing of God.
... He has as distinct personality as has the SON of GOD ... CHRIST makes His face to shine,
the HOLY SPIRIT will surely ... The fruit of the SPIRIT is love, joy, peace. ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part ii the blessing of.htm

Adoption --The Spirit and the Cry
... wonderful truth of the undivided Unity, and the distinct personality of the ... note
the style and title under which the Holy Spirit comes to us: he comes as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 24 1878/adoptionthe spirit and the cry.htm

Jesus' Friendships after He Arose.
... in these and other regards, but our personality will be ... the work wrought in us by
the Holy Spirit,"all this ... God never made Spirit for spirit, answering shade ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xiv jesus friendships after.htm

Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... My dear hearers, I ask you to cultivate a brave personality. ... To enable us to get
the spirit of these three holy men, we must get, first, a clear sense of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/three names high on the.htm

The First Cry from the Cross
... why hast thou forsaken me?" shows the personality of his ... if we are helped by God's
Holy Spirit, make some ... teaches the church that while her spirit should be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 15 1869/the first cry from the.htm