A man of God shared a testimony about how he got direction to an unknown location at a particular time in his life and ministry. According to him, the Holy Spirit kept telling him where to turn, and he was following carefully. After some time, he started doubting and disobeying the instructions. Then, the Holy Spirit went silent. He had been grieved.
Friend, it is possible to grieve the Holy Spirit. If not, the Bible would not have said so (Ephesians 4:30). The Holy Spirit is a person, He has emotions. He feels. He can be happy. He can be grieved. He can be pleased and otherwise. Knowing how to manage your relationship with the Holy Spirit is a critical learning in destiny.
Whereas Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with the believer forever, you need to learn how to get Him to work actively in your life. By redemption, the Holy Spirit is bound to be with us forever, but He is never bound to work with and through us (Mark 16:16-20, John 14:16). We are the ones to determine how much of His operations we would enjoy in our lives. We must not grieve Him.
The Holy Spirit is grieved when we do not allow Him to have His way in our lives. Most times, the Holy Spirit will nudge you and even struggle with you for a while. But when you keep neglecting His nudging, He becomes grieved (Genesis 6:3). It is not only sinful practices that grieve the Holy Spirit; sheer neglect of His person and ministry can grieve Him (Acts 10:9-16).
When the Holy Spirit is grieved, He withdraws. His voice becomes silent in your life that you might even think He has left you. Just like no sensible person likes to participate where his input is not welcomed, the Holy Spirit goes silent when you do not take His inputs, counsels, and instructions (John 16:13-15).
The Holy Spirit, as your helper, has not come to help you do what you want to do. He has come to help you do what He wants you to do (Isaiah 48:17). When He steps into your life, He determines the direction of your life and journey. Insisting on your own way when He has given you direction will make you grieve Him. Learn to yield to the Holy Spirit rather than struggle with Him.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria