Does the Holy Spirit Like What You Say?
ICS Daily Devotions
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
Because God comforts us in times of tribulation, He is not the source of our tribulation. He comforts us with His Word and through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We will be able to comfort others when we are comforted by the Lord. We don’t necessarily need to have had similar experiences to comfort others. Instead, we can use the same promises in the Bible that the Holy Spirit has brought to our remembrance to encourage others.
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NKJV) Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we are harsh, merciless, and full of malice, anger, and bitterness towards people, instead of being gracious and loving in our words. We hurt and destroy others emotionally when we lash out at them with our words. People who are Pharisaical and legalistic tend to be judgemental and critical of others, full of self-righteousness and having a one-up mentality, thinking they have the right to talk down to others. When Christians don’t feel anything wrong about the way they speak, it means they have lost sensitivity to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
When we fully understand how God has unconditionally forgiven us, we will be gracious in our words and actions and sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, especially before entering a meeting to confront or clarify something with someone. We will also minister to others out of unconditional love, helping them feel lifted, encouraged, and motivated to keep going.
Reflection: Are your words and attitudes pleasing to the Holy Spirit, or might they be grieving Him? How is the Holy Spirit leading you to speak with greater grace, kindness, and love?
Sermon Series: 2026 CG Campaign – Up! (Part 4)
