Have you ever wrestled a kinked water hose? You squeeze the nozzle and the water just drips out. You are trying to wash the car, but the water pressure is absent. The kink in the hose restricts the flow of water. The kink inhibits the flow.
That’s what resident sin does to the Holy Spirit. Remember, you are the walking tabernacle of God’s Presence. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. He lives in you permanently. He took up residence at the moment of your conversion. He indwells you. When you allow sin to enter, you kink the flow of the Holy Spirit.
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Eph 4:30 (NIV)
You know how it feels to grieve. Grief hurts. It causes distress and intense pain. It hinders your ability to function at an optimum level. When you give sin an entry to your life at any level, you grieve the Holy Spirit who lives in you.
Sin offends the Holy Spirit. Sin restricts the flow of the Holy Spirit in and through your life. The presence of sin repels the presence of the Holy Spirit.
- “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” 1 Thess 5:19 (NIV)
- “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” Romans 6:12 (NIV)
- “Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Tim 2:22 (NIV)
Who is grieving, you or the Holy Spirit? The Bible teaches us to grieve over our sin. The presence of sin in our lives should grieve us to the point of godly sorrow and then repentance.
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Cor 7:10 (NIV)
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care