Ephesians 4:29-31, “29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
Grieve, Strong’s Number G3076 is to distress, cause grief, grieve be in heaviness, sorrow, make sorry. Thayer’s Definition includes to offend, a word I consider more fitting.
We are to edify the Church, not cause dissention among the community. The things that God hates includes; Proverbs 6:19 “A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
The Holy Spirit is not to be taken lightly or to be offended. Matthew 12:31-32, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
Forgiven “neither in this world, neither in the world to come” really gets my attention and as I understand this is the unpardonable sin that would bring destructions. Also, taken in the context of Matthew 12:28-33, not only will those who oppose the working of Jesus “by the Spirit of God” be scattered abroad, if their tree is corrupt, so will their fruit be corrupt.
It seems that there is a difference between lying to the Holy Spirit and blaspheming it. Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and claimed to have given the full amount to the community of the early church. This was a lie as they had held back a portion of the price they had received for the property. While holding back the money was not a sin lying about it was. Both Ananias and Sapphira fell dead at Peter’s feet. First was Ananias and then several hours later his wife Sapphira. Peter gave Sapphira the opportunity to be truthful, however, she continued the lie. Ananias and Sapphira did not lie to the early church, they lied to the Holy Spirit. Lied but did not commit blasphemy.
A little off topic, James warns us in 5:12, “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” Taking an oath and not honoring it can lead condemnation. This was something I had to learn as I used to say, “I swear that…”
Scripture from KJV
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