It Grieves God
Resisting the Holy Spirit – Part 1
Scripture Reading: Acts 7:51-58
Key Verse: Acts 7:51
“You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!
Most of us know the story of the stoning of Stephen by the Sanhedrin. Stephen, a faithful follower of Jesus, was before the Jewish “judges.” These judges did not like Stephen preaching Jesus. Stephen stood before them and preached one of the longest sermons recorded in the New Testament. Toward the end of Stephen’s speech, he indicated that God was trying to reveal new truth via His Son Jesus Christ. However, Stephen challenged them that they must not resist the Holy Spirit, as their forefathers always did.
It was not only the Jewish leaders that resisted the leading of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul warned Christ followers to stay in step with the Spirit; meaning – it’s possible to get out of step with God’s Spirit within us! We Christ followers know when God’s Spirit is nudging us. At first we may question what voice it is that is giving us these thoughts, but along the way the Spirit is faithful and consistent, ultimately convincing us that God is speaking into our lives. It is God’s job to convince us that this “inner voice” is His voice. It is our job to obey, once we are convinced!
Are you doing any resisting of the Spirit? Has God been knocking at your heart—nudging your spirit? Has fear been winning over faithful obedience? (Continued)
Father, I do not want to resist your Holy Spirit. I give you permission to convince me of your will and I will obey. In Jesus’ name, amen.