Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.
—Ephesians 4:30
Someone reading these words is grieving over a son or daughter who has broken their heart.
A desire to make our parents proud of us and a determination to avoid disappointing them incentivize honorable behavior.
Ken Stegall said in a sermon, “I want God to be proud of me; I don’t want to disappoint him.”
Here is a sobering thought: Your words and actions affect God’s feelings.
To grieve an earthly parent by unseemly conduct shows disrespect and disregard for one who has loved deeply and given much. To grieve God, whose incomparable gift expressed unequaled love, exhibits utmost disrespect.
Eugene Peterson paraphrases Ephesians 4:30, “Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart” (MSG).
Bring God pride, not pain.