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(Ephesians 4:30) “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption."
Keeping on with the theme of 'not grieving the Holy Spirit', here's Part 5 of 5.
HOLDING GRUDGES: It's amazing how many people don't think this affects their lives or the Holy Spirit's influence. They might say, "This is just an issue I have with that person," or "It just goes to show that you can't get on with everybody," believing their relationship with GOD is unaffected by their hard-hearted attitude. However, holding grudges actually does diminish the Holy Spirit's work in your life.
When pride or offence divides us from other believers, or when we harbour resentment towards them, it grieves the Holy Spirit, and His check in our spirit requires us to examine our hearts immediately.
If we don't respond to the Holy Spirit's prompting and continue to justify our stance, then we begin the slide towards resentment and loss. As mentioned previously, this doesn't happen instantly; it begins subtly and reveals itself in small ways. You might find yourself: (a) Less patient with them. (b) Less gracious. (c) Thinking poorly of them. (d) Judging them negatively. (e) Overlooking their good actions and rather focusing on their faults.
As the Holy Spirit's influence wanes, bitterness begins to take root. Symptoms of bitterness include: (a) Defensiveness. (b) Inability to handle challenges. (c) Strong reactions to disagreements. (d) Quickness to anger. (e) Tension that makes others uneasy. (f) Blindness to your own flaws. (g) Inability to appreciate others' good deeds. (h) Ingratitude for GOD's blessings. etc.
Bitterness then takes over, becoming the lens through which you view life, affecting everything: your relationships, possessions, and responsibilities. It doesn't happen suddenly, either; it creeps in like a cancer. Instead of rejoicing as you once did with Grace, Joy, Patience, and Kindness, you've become harsher, harder and more critical...
(1 Corinthians 1:10) "I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
(John 17:21) "I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.”
As we can see from Jesus' statement, 'unity' isn't just a 'nice thing to have', but a testimony to the whole world and one that the world needs to see more than ever today!
The Holy Spirit in me is united with the Holy Spirit in you. Cutting off a brother or sister doesn't resolve the issue in any way, and choosing this path only allows bitterness to apprehend you!
If unresolved, the cancer of bitterness becomes a pattern, making future bitterness even harder to combat. In effect, bitter people only become more bitter.
To overcome resentment, we have to first accept that Jesus calls us to unity with the body of Christ. Then we must get before GOD and ask Him for His help so that we can reconcile with our brother or sister. This calls for releasing pride - before it leads to a fall.
The Holy Spirit aids those who forgive and show kindness, and this action again returns His dynamic influence in your life.
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Let us pray, "Heavenly Father, I don't want to go my own way any longer in bitterness and hardness of heart. Please help me release any grudges and bitterness in my heart. Guide me to forgive and seek unity with my brothers and sisters. Soften my heart to embrace kindness and humility. May Your Holy Spirit work freely within me, filling my life with grace and peace." Amen!
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