2.5. THE WALK IN LOVE AVOIDS DOING CERTAIN THINGS

The walk in love, as Jesus loved, avoids doing certain things that hinder His love coming through. They are listed in Ephesians 4:30-31.

This is one of the most solemn and emphatic counsels given to believers. To grieve the Holy Spirit will hinder our usefulness, no matter how talented we may be. It should be taken to heart, that His name is given with unusual fullness, probably to show the magnitude of the sin. "The Holy Spirit of God." To grieve Him is to make God sorrowful. For the Spirit's sake, don't do it.

We can only know a maximum of Christian experience through the Holy Spirit. We are dependent on Him for spiritual growth, power, enablement, anointing and supernatural gifts. In the measure in which He is grieved, His operations within us and through us will be hindered. When He is not grieved within us, He supernaturally leads us (Romans 8:14 ). He supernaturally aids our prayer life.

Romans 8:26-28 "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us ... now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good ... "

• He gives us supernatural joy:

Acts 5:41 "So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name."

Thessalonians 1:6 "...having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit."

• Also supernatural power:

Acts 1:8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon YOU."

For our own sakes we should not grieve the Spirit. It follows, that should we grieve the Holy Spirit, we will not be usable as His channels to bless others, who will then also suffer loss. So for the sake of your family, friends, daily contacts, and other members of the body of Christ, do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Two ways in which we can grieve the Spirit of God are emphasized in Ephesians 4:29 and 30.

The first is by allowing corrupt communication to proceed out of our mouth. "Corrupt" means anything that is depraved, evil, obscene, offensive, or that corrupts others.

Josiah Wedgewood, the maker of the famous Wedgewood ware was a godly man. An aristocrat came to be shown round the factory, and Josiah asked one of his youngest employees to show the man the various departments. He would follow later. The aristocrat was given to blasphemy and foul language. At first the young lad was shocked at what he heard, then gradually began to laugh at the bad language. Josiah shortly joined them, walking behind, hearing the aristocrat's speech. Arriving at the office, Josiah picked up a most valuable vase which the aristocrat wished to purchase. As he was handing the vase over, Josiah purposely let it slip and it smashed to the ground in pieces. The aristocrat was furious at the loss. Josiah looked at him and said, "This vase, however valuable, can be replaced. But you have corrupted the mind of a young lad, and it may never recover."

Avoid picking up any of the suggestive, double-talk of the unsaved. Their impure communications grieve the Spirit of God, and rob you of being a usable person. Corrupt conversations reveal a corrupt life and a filthiness of spirit that is discerned by fellow believers, who would not desire such a person's company. Speech that is pleasing to the Holy Spirit and usable by Him, is speaking so as always to do good to others. Humour that is pure can benefit others. The Christian whose normal conversation instructs, strengthens, builds up, and comforts others, revealing love and understanding, is indeed a usable person.

The second way to grieve the Holy Spirit is by allowing the seal of the Holy Spirit to be obliterated, which includes failing to love as Jesus loved. He is not seen when we neglect others, when we are unthankful, unforgiving and non-caring. Open sin obliterates the life of the Spirit. Petty theft, lying, indulged anger, makes it questionable if the Spirit of God is in the life at all. There is a total absence of loving as Jesus loved. Such are totally unusable.

The next in Paul's list to be avoided is:

Bitterness about a supposed injury, or because another has been preferred in a privilege, or opportunity of promotion, shows a lack of Jesus' love, and a self-centredness that makes such a person unusable. The writer to the Hebrews in chapter 12:15 speaks of a "root of bitterness". It comes from the Greek word 'rhiza' from which we get our English word "rhizome". It is a creeping weed that survives in all unfavourable conditions. It sends down more roots from its new growth. Once established it is most difficult to remove. Bitterness feeds on itself and grows until it defiles the person and causes trouble to others. It brings depression and ill health, and the dislike of others. It destroys any influence for good that the person may have had. Avoid it. Dig it out if it has recently been planted in you. It can be easily rooted out while it is a young weed. The longer it is left to grow, the more difficult it is to remove. To allow bitterness to possess you, will make your talents ineffective and unacceptable.