Parents may grieve over the loss in death of one of their children.  A husband may grieve the loss of his wife that he has lived with for many years.  Parents may grieve that one of their children has taken a bad path in life and the child show no signs of repentance.

The Apostle Paul grieved for his fellow Jews (Israelites) that had not accepted Jesus as the Christ.  Romans 9:1-4  “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises.”  The Apostle Paul wanted his fellow Israelites to see the truth about Jesus and believe and obey Him.  Since most of the Jews did not accept Jesus, he had great sorry and grief in his heart.

Jesus grieved over the city of Jerusalem.  Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”  Jesus longed to have Jerusalem repent and accept Him as their savior, but instead they rejected him and went their rebellious way.

But do we realize that we can grieve the Holy Spirit of God?  Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”  Consider that we have the Holy Spirit living within us (Romans 8:9).  He knows everything about us; we hide nothing from Him.  When we do things contrary to godliness, He knows it.  The scriptures do not specifically say what grieves the Holy Spirit.  I am not the Holy Spirit, but let me share some things that I thing may grieve the Holy Spirit.

If we have lustful thoughts, if we have hate for our brother, or if we covet what others have, then the Holy Spirit knows it and would grieve over our sinfulness.  If we secretly enjoy wickedness or take pleasure in unrighteousness, that too would grieve the Holy Spirit.  If we attend the assemblies of the church just to please someone in our family or we come because we think we have to come rather than because we want to encourage our brothers and sisters and worship God together, then the Holy Spirit would know and grieve over us.  If there are sins in our lives that we enjoy and hold on to and refuse to repent of, that also would grieve the Holy Spirit.  If we are selfish and think mostly of ourselves and what we want rather than loving God and our brother or sister and think how to serve them, then the Holy Spirit would know and grieve over us.  Judge for yourself.  Are there things in your life that would grieve the Holy Spirit?  He knows your every secret.  Then return to God and the angels will rejoice in Heaven. Luke 15:10 “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”