Living that Grieves the Holy Spirit

It is almost certain that sin is the cause of the rut, the circular grave in which so many people find themselves. Since only sin offends God, and sin is extremely deceitful, it can be present doing its deadly work while the people may not be aware of it at all until it is called to their attention.

Several kinds of sin cause the rut;

• The sin of omission, an act left undone that should have been done. James 4:17, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them."
• The sin of commission, an act displeasing to God. Titus 1:16, "They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed."
• The sin of the flesh. The world may approve of the sin of the flesh, and even churches and pastors may permit it. Galatians 5:16-17, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want". It is astonishing what preachers will joke about with their congregations, laugh off, and put up with. Maybe pastors permit it or laugh it off at least, and say,

"Oh well, you can't be too holy, too angelic in this world."

But the Holy Spirit is grieved by it. So the people move around their circular grave not hearing the voice much anymore. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me... They won’t follow a stranger; they will run from him because they don’t know his voice.", John 10:27, 10:5. They used to hear it,

"Get up, get up. You've been in this place long enough [Deuteronomy 1:6-7]. Get up! Move! There's the land before you--I've given it to you. It's all in the covenant; it is all in the purchase of the blood [Galatians 3:13-15]. It is all yours. Get up and move toward me. Move toward the holy place and the holy land and your possessions. Victory and deliverance and power in prayer--it is all yours. Rise and take it."

They once heard that signal coming strongly to them, but it is not coming so strongly anymore. The Holy Spirit is grieved and does not talk so much. And the people move around in their circular graves.

"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]." Ephesians 4:30 [AMP]

[A.W. Tozer]