52:030118
The Sufferings of the Spirit
Many
times do we suffer in silence, so let’s have a look how we affect the Holy
Spirit, and it’s all because of us.
1. Blasphemed by the presumption of man (ie us)
2. Insulted by the pride of man
3. Vexed by the disobedience of man
4. Resisted by the unbelief of man
5. Tempted by the insincerity of man#
6. Quenched by the prejudice of men
7. Grieved by the frivolity of man
1)
Blasphemed by the presumption of man (ie us)
Math 12:31 “..Therefore I say to you, every sin and
blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the
Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven
him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him,
either in this age or in the age to come..”
This
has to be one of the clearest of messages from God that there ever was. Let me
ask this then who has heard of these phrases … For Christ Sake … Lord above …
Jesus H Christ … Heavens above. All
these and many more besides, we hear when something goes wrong. I get really
mad when I hear the Lords name being taken in vain.
They said to Jesus, “this fellow casteth out
the devil by Beelzebub” Jesus said back to them, “I casteth out devils by the spirit of God..” Therefore the
attributed this spirits work to the work of the devil, and so blasphemed the
Holy Ghost.
I
intend to ask politely, when hearing ‘His name in vain, for whoever speaks this
way to refrain, most of the time, will stop and apologise. For those who don’t,
I ask for Heaven Father to forgive them for they know not what they do.
2) Insulted by the pride of man
In
Hebrews 10:29, we read of those who too much pride in their hearts… “. .Of how much worse punishment, do you
suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot,
counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing,
and insulted the Spirit of grace? .” The thing is to, deny the
divinity of Christ and the preciousness of the Blood, is to despise the
testimony of the Holy Spirit and to insult him to His face. Or, in street
slang, you stand in front of the person you wish to slander, and give them the
bird. (this is where the person would make a fist, but leave only the middle
finger up). I have to say this is a foul thing given to anyone. There are very
few who would do this for fear of retribution from those whose name is taken in
vain.
This particular verse opens up my message
here…
1 Corinth 11:29 “. . For he who eats and drinks in an
unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself,
not discerning the Lord’s body. .”
If you eat like a dog, soon you will be wild without a care. That’s why
if you wish to NOT have a potty mouth, you will need to change the company you
keep. An athlete, those at the top, who always seem to win gold medals, eat
drink and sleep what it takes to stay at the top of their chosen sports. If you
have a potty mouth, you need to surround yourself with like-minded Christians.
3) Vexed by the disobedience of
man
This is and old word, one that is not used regularly today. Words used
those days seem somehow to mean different. Example :- ‘Gay’ it used to mean you
were happy, or of good cheer. Now ‘Gay’ means, you are of the persuasion in
liking those of the same sex as you, although this word still means
happy/cheerful, but just not what you firstly thing of when someone is called
Gay!
Isa 63:9/10 “. .In all their affliction He was afflicted,
And the Angel of His Presence saved them; In His love and in
His pity He redeemed them; And He bore them and carried
them All the days of
old. But they
rebelled and grieved His
Holy Spirit; So He turned Himself against them as an enemy,
And He fought against them. .”
Psl 73:21 “. .Thus my heart was grieved, and I
was vexed in my mind. .”
A word
that comes up that links both texts is that of ‘aggrieved’. So they were not
happy with their lot, hence ‘aggrieved’.
All that He (Lord God) asks is for us to obey Him, turn away from sin,
because God’s compassion knows no bounds as for gives ‘all’ our transgressions
for our Lords love for us is far deeper than we could fathom.
Try and
think of this, redeemed ones rebelling & vexing
the Holy One. How often, when He reveals some unexpected ugliness within,
instead of being thankful for the discovery, our proud heart rebels and refuses
to confess what is wrong with us. Thus the holy Spirit is vexed, hence the Holy
one is unable to release His blessings and graces, how stubborn is our pride.
4) Resisted by the unbelief of
men
Acts 7: 51 “. .You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!
You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
.”
Be
careful of the ‘wisdom we impart to our Children, and those whom look up to us.
We must take control of one of the smallest muscles in our whole body.
Heb 3: 19 “. .So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. .”
What I’m
really saying is ‘what is there not believe’? In doubting the word of God, the
Spirit of God is resisted why? Because for the word of God is his sword.
Since I
was 20yrs old, I had thoughts and feelings about being the Church. May be these
feeling started some 10yrs before, when I was a cub scout. Time and time again
I refused Gods call on my life. May be I was not on my knees yet. Now I have Faith as I believe with all of my
heart.
4) Tempted by the insincerity of
man.
Acts 5:1/9 “. .But a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of
the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a
certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has
Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of
the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it
remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own
control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to
men but to God.” 5 Then
Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear
came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and
wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. 7 Now it was about three hours later
when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me
whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it
that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of
those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they
will carry you out. .”
Sums up ‘insincerity’, you have to have the
morals of dog poo, to fully get it. I apologise for the bluntness of the afore
mentioned. You have to be deranged to lie because in the end you are always
caught out, tripped up. I covered about lies to yourself as well as and in ‘Mental Attacks’. Tell me, why would you
even think, let alone to actually try to lie?
V3 But Peter said … “Ananias
why has satan filled your heart to lie? … Peter can see as clear as day
that he is lying to the Holy Ghost. He has gone great to break down Ananias’
lie to Mary to try and to show how futile this would be.
V5 “. . Then
Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear
came upon all those who heard these
things. .” The pressure he put himself under, that was
not bad enough, but he levelled the pressure with others. The pressure was
avoidable, if he heeded the word from Peter. A man is guilty of this when
pretends to his brethren/friends that he is wholly devoted to God, whilst at
the same time indulging in his secret sin.
Psalms 51: 10
“. .Create in me a clean heart, O God, And
renew a steadfast spirit within me. .”
1Thes 5: 19
“. .Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. .”
We
clearly see here (and it still happens today) that what is forbidden here is a
very common sin … Eph 4:30
“. .And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. .” … This
one treats with indifference the message of God. Though you have to wonder,
because the messenger is not after our hearts.
May be
someone can comment to this quandary …
“Why is that we can seemingly have it/a good
thing, do we
knowingly do some wrong/forbidden-fruit mess it all up?”
We seem
to have this inherent to destroy all the good around us.
1 Thes 5:20/22 “. .Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test
all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every
form of evil. .”
Again
another verse I find myself reading that tells us in plain English to those who
read these words God leaves no room for misunderstanding. By ignoring His
warnings is to stand face to face with God, set fire to His words (the Bible),
and laugh into His face whilst you do this.
7) Grieved by the frivolity of
men
Eph 4: 30 “. . do not grieve the Holy Spirit. .”
This
part of v30 is just a small part of the grievance, which this solemn
exhortation lies between these other verses which show the full point that was
being made here.
Eph 4 29/31 “. .29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth,
but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the
hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy
Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and
evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted,
forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. “
WOW,
simply WOW. If you kept using the Lords name in vain, and I turned to you and
said ‘Please don’t use the Lords name as part of your swearing’. But you
ignored me and just carried on, do you not think I’ll be upset/grieved? Do you
not think then, that the Holy Ghost is not grieved, just because He is not
stood in front of you?
Jesus
Christ is grieved by the unprofitable conversation of us Christians, He is also
grieved because He wishes to teach us
how to profit, how amaizing is He. Though He cannot join in non-profitable
talk, much less in evil speak. If the Holy Ghost cannot afford to be trivial,
then why are we. Everyone should put a watch (not the one you wear on your wrist),
but a Guard/Century, be put at the door to our lips.
I’ll leave you with
parting thought ….
“Men filled with
the Holy Spirit are usually of a solemn
nature “
