Sins against the Holy Spirit

Vexing (or grieving or despising):

                The Bible teaches us that both the saved and unsaved can vex or grieve the Holy Spirit.  Isa. 63:10 says, “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.”  Eph. 4:30 says, “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”  It is possible for people to vex or grieve the Holy Spirit.  The idea of the word vex (and grieve) is to pain or to make angry by provocations.  An unsaved person who refuses to give into the convicting element of the Holy Spirit is grievous to the blessed Spirit.  Here the Spirit illuminates his heart and mind and with amazing power pierces an unbeliever’s heart thus pointing him to his Savior.  But the unsaved refuses the Spirit’s conviction.  How painful indeed to shun the Spirit of God!  Heb. 10:29 classifies this rejection as “despite unto the Spirit of grace.”  A Christian can also sin this way.  In fact, Eph. 4:30 is written to believers.  The Holy Spirit prompts believers to obey the light of Scripture, and yet, at times we wrestle against His leading or impressions.  Perhaps we take the indwelling Spirit to places we ought not go or defile His temple (which is referring to our physical bodies according to 1 Cor. 6:19) with sin.  It isn’t hard to see how we may vex or cause grief to the Holy Spirit.  We must be reminded that we can also grieve the Holy Spirit.  We must not treat Him that way; instead, we must cease from grieving Him.

Blasphemy:

                The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost which is referenced in Matt. 12:31-32, Mk. 3:28-30 and Lk. 12:10 is a sin that only an unsaved person can commit.  Ascribing to the Devil the source or power of Christ’s miracles rather than the Holy Spirit is the height of blasphemy.  Any word spoken against the Lord Jesus is forgivable, but to speak against the source of His power, the Holy Spirit, and to claim that the Spirit is of the Devil or is Satan himself, is to poison the very well or fountain head of salvation.  No one comes to Christ and receives Him as Savior if they are convinced that His power is that of the Devil.  Therefore, only an unsaved person can ever commit this highly awful sin of blaspheming the Holy Ghost.

Tempting:

                Tempting the Holy Spirit is another sin that believers can commit.  The account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is a case in point.  Here was a couple who were motivated perhaps by jealousy and envy to give money to the church so as to appear righteous.  Covetousness kicked in and they kept back part of the gift for themselves.  They lied to the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:30) and were judged by God.  The Holy Spirit could see right through their deceit.  Do we tempt the Holy Spirit of God?  We do when we mess with sin and think that no one sees us or that we can get away with sin.  We lie to Him and to ourselves when we think that we can get away with sin.

Resisting:

                Then there is the matter of resisting the Holy Spirit, according to Acts 7:51.  Both unsaved and saved can commit this sin.  The idea of the word resist is to “fall against or to rush against another” (Robertson’s Word Picture).  It is just as if we are blocking the door that would allow the Holy Spirit to come in and have free reign in our heart.    In the context of Acts 7, the unsaved Jews were resisting the prophet’s and apostles, and therefore really resisting God Himself!  They kept opposing God’s convicting power.  Believers can also resist the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit prompts a believer to do something and He gets brushed off, the conscience bears witness that the Holy Spirit of God has been resisted.  This takes place when sermons (preached by a pastor or spiritual leader) are ignored when it has spoken directly to a believer’s life or his particular situation.  Refusing to obey His Word is a form of resisting the Holy Spirit.  What a terrible position to be in!  To be opposed to God or to resist Him: this is a position of spiritual defeat.  We must beware not to resist the Holy Spirit.

Quenching:

                In 1 Thess. 5:19, we find a short but vital command of not quenching the Holy Spirit.  The Bible says: “Quench not the Spirit.”  How does this happen?  The idea of this verse is like putting out a fire.  The Holy Spirit may burn or impress a matter upon our hearts and we, with a damp and cold sin, extinguish God’s dealings in our hearts.  Neglecting to nurture the Holy Spirit’s fire within our spirits is another way to quench the Spirit.  Feeding the flame with worldliness or sin will suffocate the work of the Spirit inside the heart.  Worse, if we are not careful, we may quench the Spirit in a fellow believer’s heart by pouring out sinful words and/or an attitude against them and thus doubly quench the Spirit.

                Truly, the operation of the Holy Spirit in the heart of man is magnificent!  Let us be careful not to vex nor grieve Him, not to blaspheme against Him, and not to resist or quench the Holy Spirit of God.  Rather, let us do what He tells us to do, and be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18), which means to always be yielding more of ourselves to His control.

Seed thoughts: "Where do temptations come from?"

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (I Cor. 10:13)

The word temptation can mean “trial” and “testing,” but in this study we are focusing more on the idea that temptation is the “solicitation, enticement or the invitation to sin.”  Having said that, the temptation, in and of its own, is not sin (it is an invitation to sin).  The sin is in the yielding to it.  When you yield to temptation then you end up in sin.  When you yield to God, resist the Devil and flee from sin, then the temptation is escaped and you will be able to bear it or endure it.

Where do temptations come from? There are at least three sources of temptations (BTW, if you wish to add or improve upon this article please feel free to leave a comment) - The first two that I will highlight are outward sources and the third is inward or our selves (the flesh or our sinful nature).

1.  Satan himself, as he is also known as "the tempter."

"For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain." (1 Thess. 3:5)

The Lord Jesus Himself was tempted by Satan (Matt. 4; Mk. 1; & Lk. 4).  Interesting to note that when the Lord got victory over Satan's temptation, that Satan (or the tempter) departed from Christ only "for a season" (Lk. 4:13).  One victory over temptation does not mean that the temptation (nor the tempter) doesn't return.  Satan tried to get the Lord Jesus to doubt God and God's goodness, to doubt His own identity as God's Son, and he tried to persuade the Lord to fulfill his natural desires in a way that was out of step with the Heavenly Father.  Note: a temptation can also be an invitation to do "God's will" in a disobedient way.

2.  Companions, friends or others.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not." (Pro. 1:10)

 "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

 15 Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away." (Pro. 4:14-15)

 "A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good." (Pro. 16:29)

We must ever be watchful of who we follow or listen to or allow as friends because of the influence that others may have upon us.  Others can clearly be a source of temptation in our lives.  The best thing to do when others are manifestly the source of temptation is to avoid them.

3.   Self or the flesh.

 "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matt. 26:41)

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." (James 1:14)

Certainly the two outside influences of temptation would be greatly hindered if we would take great heed to ourselves!  We must remember that our flesh is weak.  As long as we are living in this world we will always struggle with temptations.  However, we do not need to be defeated by our temptations, we can through God's grace, bear it or endure it.  It is all wrapped up in how we choose to respond to temptations.  We must remember that God is faithful, that He only permits temptations to come our way which He knows that we may able to resist.  He makes a way of escape or deliverance from it so that we maybe able to endure it.  God has given us everything we need to defeat the various sources of temptations in this world of sin.

Jehovah-Jireh (the LORD will provide)

This divine title or name is found in Genesis 22:1-14 - the story of Abraham's testing whereupon God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering.  Old Testament sacrifices were a representation of the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ.  No doubt, God revealed to Abraham on this particular day His plan for the redemption of mankind.  I believe it was on that day that Abraham rejoiced to see the day of the Lord Jesus (Jn. 8:56).  And just before Abraham was about to slay his son in v.10, the angel of the LORD called out unto him and restrained him from slaying his beloved son in v. 11.  Afterwards we read in verses 13-14:

"[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. [14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen."

In v.14 we find that Abraham recognized God as "Jehovah-jireh."  This name means "the LORD will see or provide." Centuries later on that same spot the "land of Moriah" God was going to provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering (v.8).  Abraham rejoiced because he was able to prove to himself and to all that God was the supreme ruler or his life.  He also rejoiced because he was able to keep and further nurture his beloved son Isaac (whose name means laughter - what a joy children are to their parents, if they are brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord).  He rejoiced because on that day, God revealed to him that He was going to send His only begotten Son to die on the cross for our redemption, pardon and vicarious atonement.  Abraham rejoiced to see that God Himself was going to come down from Heaven, and take upon Him the form of a servant to be offered up as a sacrifice that could satisfy the just demands of a Holy God.  In the gospel there is so much to rejoice about.

But what exactly did God provide?  The Bible says, God will provide Himself a lamb (v.8).  In v.13 Abraham looked and found behind him a ram (a male sheep).  It was that ram that he sacrificed in Isaac's stead.  Isn't wonderful that when the Lord Jesus came on the scene to begin His public ministry He was identified as "The Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29).  When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He was the sacrificial lamb.  Interestingly, the Lord died on the same day the paschal lambs were sacrificed (read Luke 22).  The future is bright for us who have repented of sin and self, and trusted in Christ as Savior.  It is because of His blood that we have the forgiveness of sins and enjoy the future glory of eternal life with God (see Eph. 1:7).  Because in eternity future it is the Lamb that will sustain us, and wipe away our tears (Rev. 7:17), it is the Lamb who will make war and win (Rev. 17:14), it is the Lamb to whom the bride of Christ will be forever united to (Rev. 19:9), the temple will be no more for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it (Rev. 21:22), in eternity future there will be no need of the sun, for the glory of Heaven is the Lamb Himself who is the light (Rev. 21:23) and no one is admitted there whose name is not written in the Lamb's book of life (Rev. 13:8,  21:27).

Amazing, that God is Jehovah-jireh, the LORD will provide.

Doctrine and Practice

"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Titus 3:8)

A closer look:
faithful - trustworthy, sure, or true
affirm - thoroughly confirm by word through preaching or speaking
careful - to exercise thought
maintain - practice

Good works stem from good doctrine. Daily reading and studying His Word, listening to the preaching of His Word at church, and sharing Bible principles and verses in conversation exposes us as believers to good doctrine. When sound doctrine is heeded, good works are the end result.

God's Will

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

A closer look:
Prove - to test, to ascertain, to try, discern.
will - desire, pleasure, inclination, determination (as in decision).

First things first, we needed "God's will" yesterday. Attaching the phrase God's will to any of our decision doesn't mystically sanctify that decision to be so. Worse, it takes God's name in vain (which is no small thing). To be certain, God has a will. He has one for everyone of us (see 2 Pet. 3:9 for an example). But it isn't so that He divinely reveals it only at certain points in our lives like the high mountain top experiences of graduation, marriage, vocational calling or career decision, relocating because of job opportunities, etc. He does reveal His will to us. He does so every day and it is our responsibility to prove it. It is our responsibility to obey God, and when we surrender of our will to His, our minds are renewed. Renewed minds are required for ascertaining God's will. God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect because it reflects on the person of God Himself. If you want to know God's will, then allow Him to renew your mind. It isn't important to say: "God's will for my life" as it is to say: "My life for God's will." Knowing God well is knowing God's will.

Renewing of the mind

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

A closer look:
Renew - renovate.
Mind - intellect (distinguished from will and affection); can also refer to the inner man, or the spirit (distinguished from the body).

First and foremost, it is God's grace of Salvation that renews a man (similar to the idea of "born again" in John 3:3, 7 and Titus 3:5). Salvation transforms a sinner into a saint (consider Rom. 1:7; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:8-10; 1 John 3:2). Second, Sanctification is the practical progress of God's renewing work in our lives. Our ultimate goal is to bring glory to God, and we learn how to do this every day as we read and study the Bible, pray, and live out the things which we have learned from God (see Luke 9:23; 2 Cor. 4:16; Eph. 4:23). We are aided by the Word and Holy Spirit. We are renewed when we get rid of our old mindset and posses or put in its place a godly mindset. How does change take place? By the renewing of the mind.

Conformed or Transformed

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)

A closer look:
World - the system and society that is opposed to God.
Conform - to fashion alike.
Transform - to change, metamorphosis.

As Christians we need to remember that the world system isn't going to make it easier to serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Here is a direct command not to follow the way of the world. The world with all its music, dress, mores, and values is truly sub-Christian. We shouldn't be looking at how the world does things, and then pattern our worship and service towards God in similar fashion (this would also include music, dress, and many other pertinent things that God delineates in His Word). The struggle is between the world vs. the Word. The world maybe flashy, but it's poison will rotten the soul. The Word doesn't seek to be flashy (although it is true light), and yet it is life-giving and renewing. The world seeks to conform us, but the Word seeks to transform us. Will you conform, or be transformed?

Highlighting Hubmaier's 18 Dissertations

Eighteen Dissertations concerning the entire Christian life and of what it consists. Propositions upheld at Waldshut by Dr. Balthasar Friedberger*, and Others. (1524):

1. Faith alone makes us pious before God.

2. This belief is recognition of the mercy of God, since He hath redeemed us by the sacrifice of His only-begotten Son, and this excludes all nominal Christians who have only an historical belief in God.

3. Such a faith must not be idle, but must reach up toward God in thankfulness, and toward men in all good works of brotherly love. And all works of penance must be abandoned, such as the burning of candles, the use of palms and holy water.

4. All works are good which God has commanded us. And all acts which He has forbidden are evil. In this case belong such things as eating of fish on fast days, abstention from meat, the wearing of cowls.

5. The Mass is not a sacrifice but a memorial of the death of Christ. Therefore it may not be offered, either for the quick [or alive]or for the dead. Thus must perish the counsels of those souls that practice cunning and deceit.

6. As often as such a memorial is celebrated, shall the death of our Lord be preached, as each one of us finds in his heart and on his tongue. this excludes all silent Masses.

7. Images and pictures are of no value. Therefore you should trust no longer in wood and stone, but in the living and suffering God.

8. Since every Christian believes for himself and is baptized for himself, everyone must see and judge by the Scriptures whether he is being properly nourished by his pastor.

9. Since Christ alone has died for our sins and in His name we have all been baptized, therefore He must be for us the only intercessor and mediator. Here perish all pilgrimages.

10. It is far better to read one verse of a Psalm in the speech of one's own land, which can be understood, than to sing five entire songs in a forgeign tongue, which cannot be understood by the church. Here perish Matins, Prime, Tercets, Vespers, Complines, and Vigils.

11. All teachings that are not God are in vain and shall be rooted up. Here perish the disciples of Aristotle, as well as the Thomist, the Scotists, Bonaventure and Occam, and all teaching that does not proceed from God's Word.

12. The time will come - and now is- when no will be deemed a true priest save the man who preaches the Word of God. This disposes of Masses, votive offerings, reliquaries, and masses for others.

13. It is the duty of members of the church to support with suitable food and clothing, and to protect countries,pensions,religious corporations, absentee priests, deceivers, and the tellers of vain dreams.

14. Let him who dreads purgatory and him whose God is his belly seek the grave of Moses, which it will be long ere he finds.

15. That priests and others might hide the sins of their flesh was the reason why Barabas [sic] was set free and Christ was slain.

16. To command virtue in reliance upon human strength, is nothing else than to command one to fly without wings.

17. He who misrepresents the Word of God for temporal gain, or conceals it, sells the grace of God, like red Esau for a mess of pottage and Christ will deny him.

18. He who does not seek, in the sweat of his brow, to earn his bread, is accured, unworthy of the food that he eats. Here are cursed all idlers, be they who they may.

TRUTH IS IMMORTAL

*Balthasar Hubmaier - A.K.A. Friedberger, commemorating his native town of Friedberg.

(Taken from:"Baptist Confessions of Faith" by Wiliam L. Lumpkin, Valley Forge: Judson Press. Revised edition - 1969).

Sinful anger (part 3)

Galatians 5:14-15: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."

A closer look:
"For all the law" - the entire or whole law, every aspect of it: ceremonial, civil, and moral.
"love" - This is what completes and complies with God's Law.
"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself" - fundamentally the second division of the 10 Commandments.
"bite and devour" - figuratively speaking of wild animals attacking each other.
"consumed one of another" - this is the end result of contention.

Sinful anger (whether it is explosive or internalized) is the opposite of Biblical love (which is sacrificial, gracious and unselfish). When people entertain contention, and it escalates, they act like wild animals - tearing each other up. They say words that are curt, rude, hurtful. They may even assault someone physically. The progression is "bite," then "devour," and then "consumed." When sinful anger is not dealt with, nobody wins, rather everyone involved is consumed. The offended is hurt, and the offender is hated. Brethren, we are not called to be "animalistic." We are called the sons of God, let us, with God's grace, live out what we truly are in the eyes of God.

Sinful anger (part 2)

Proverbs 14:29 "He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly."

A closer look:
slow - long, patient
wrath - violent anger, vehement exasperation - (literally "to snort")
great - abundant
understanding - knowledge, reason, skillful, wisdom
exalts - to be high, to raise, to extol

A person not easily irritated, doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't lash out, yell or scream, lose his temper is described as a man of great understanding. The key is to think before you act. The Lord is "slow to anger" (Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nahum 1:3). It is not the Lord doesn't demonstrate anger, on the contrary, His anger is not an out of control short fuse. His anger, should I say is "gracious anger." Man's anger is sinful anger - as in this case. When people think of you, do they think of an angry man? How do you handle anger? May we learn to always be under-control rather than out-of-control.

Sinful Anger

Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger resteth in the bossom of fools."

A closer look:
hasty - palpitate, suddenly alarmed, agitated.
spirit - wind or breath, attitude.
anger - trouble, rage, indignant.
rests - to settle down, to dwell, to let stay.
bossom - midst.
fools - stupid or silly acting people.

Sinful anger is sudden. Sinful anger flares up immediately in our spirit. When sinful anger is allowed in, it becomes a resident, perhaps even a welcomed guest. It festers. It is easily nourished. It stinks - and that it does because sin stinks. What does God say about sinful anger? "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry." I sin against God (and others) when I allow sinful anger to suddenly take over. Hasty, eager, rash, instant, immediate, soon, easily, quick, right away, short - such fleeting words. How temporal.

It is high time to get rid of this squatter. It is time to get rid of all of Sinful anger's associates too.