Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Hospitable Hearts
And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30 NLT)
Have you ever noticed that different homes have their own smells? Some have odd odors, and you don’t want to stay very long. Others have inviting scents, like the smell of delicious food cooking, and you enjoy being there.
There is a difference between being in a home and being at home.
The Bible tells us that the Holy Spirit lives in the heart of every Christian. Romans 8:9 says, “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you” (NLT).
When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit seals and indwells you. But is the Holy Spirit at home in your heart? Is He comfortable in your life?
The Holy Spirit has a personality. Yes, He is God. And yes, we might even sin against Him specifically. The Bible tells us that it’s possible to insult the Holy Spirit, resist the Holy Spirit, and blaspheme the Holy Spirit.
We also can make the Holy Spirit sad. The apostle Paul wrote, “And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NLT).
Have you ever done or said something that reduced another person to tears? It’s hard to look at someone who is crying because of what you said or did. In the same way, we can do things that grieve the Holy Spirit.
Paul went on to say, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (verse 31 NLT). These things make the Holy Spirit sorrowful.
So, how can you tell if you’re living a Spirit-controlled life? The Holy Spirit will be at home in your heart.
Copyright © 2023 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org
and
Listen to Greg Laurie's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com and weekly podcast on LifeAudio.com.
Watch Greg Laurie's weekly television broadcast on LightSource.com.
In thanks for your gift, you can receive a copy of House of David: 30 Days with the Man After God’s Own Heart by Greg Laurie
King David was a shepherd, a warrior, a king—and a man after God’s own heart. Official companion to the Amazon Prime series House of David, a new devotional from Pastor Greg Laurie dives deep into David’s life, the psalms he wrote, and the lessons we can learn from his triumphs and struggles. Grow in your walk with God as you explore the extraordinary life of David. Get your copy today with your gift to Harvest Ministries.
