Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
June 08, 2023: SOAP #4935: Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

SCRIPTURE:  Ephesians (NIV) 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

OBSERVATION:  Here we see the personhood of the Holy Spirit.  He is not an impersonal force. He can feel the pain of disappointment. 

There are two ways in which the Holy Spirit can be grieved.  First, He can be grieved when we do those things that he has forbidden.  Second, He can be grieved when we do not do those things he desires.

APPLICATION:  I believe I have more often grieved the Holy Spirit by not doing what he wanted me to do.  I found some excuse for not following those thoughts in my mind.   There was a strong impression that I should do something.  I did not recognize the thoughts or impression as being from Him.  I ignored them and pushed them aside. 

I have discovered a good question to ask myself: “If I do not do this, or say this, will I feel like I have missed God?”  If the answer is “yes,” then I set myself to do it.

In stepping out and doing or saying what I believe the Holy Spirit desires there is always a risk.  The devil wants me to think that I will look foolish and that those thoughts were just of my own mind.  But faith in God lifts me above the enemies attempt to frustrate the plan of God for that moment. 

PRAYER:   Holy Spirit, You know my heart.  I would rather make a mistake of trying to obey you than making the sure mistake of ignoring you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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