Put a Lid On It

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:29-32 NIV

I think it's safe to say that we have all said something that we regret having said at one point or another. In the heat of a moment, it might have felt good - it might even have felt justified - but when "the look" comes over the face of the recipient... ouch! You know "the look" I'm talking about, right? It makes me feel bad just thinking about it.

We often make excuses or try to justify our action or what we said. "I was right there in the middle of it and I just couldn't take any more!" "You weren't there - you don't know what it was like!" Jesus was in the middle of it, too. His reaction was, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do..."

When we lash out at others, do we ever stop to think that our 'unwholesome talk' can offend the Holy Spirit of God? I know lots of people have no problem thinking that God is mad at them for one sin or another, but does it ever enter our minds that we can hurt His feelings by our thoughtless words or deeds?

Part of our text for today reads, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." The Greek word for grieve translates to 'make sorrowful' - 'affect with sadness, cause grief' - 'offend, to grieve'. This verse also says we were sealed with Him for the day of redemption. In essence, God "put a lid" on us and our unwanted behavior - He sealed it for us, so shouldn't we do something with the rest of it?

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you... Yes - we should definitely put a lid on it!

Prayer:

Father,
            Thank You for sealing us with Your Holy Spirit for the Day of Redemption! Help us to get rid of everything in our lives that is not of You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen