It seems our family has been feasting on carrion.
Dead and decaying flesh. Or something similar to it. It stinks.
As I studied this earth-shattering revelation, I realized it was just semantics.
WE WERE COMFORTABLE WITH ROAD KILL.
EEEWWWW.
By now you are wondering how in the world did I make this discovery?
During our family time, we were reviewing Ephesians 4:29-32 which says:
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (bold emphasis mine)
We have kinda skipped that part before....always focusing on "the talk" that comes out of our mouths and then v. 31, what you need to "get rid of".
But this time, the Lord said, "You grieve me."
What? What do you mean?
To grieve is to have deep sorrow. To grieve someone is to be the one INFLICTING the sorrow.
Ouch.
How Lord? How can we grieve the Holy Spirit? (and what does this have to do with Road Kill? hang on, you will see)
I began to search the Scriptures to find the answers....How do we grieve the Holy Spirit?
*By rebelling against the commands of the Lord (Isa 63:10, Ps 78:40) - that is called SIN. (just thought I would simplify things)
*By resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:31) (when He leads us and we disobey His promptings/urgings....and that is called SIN...again, simplifying here)
It is easy to grieve the Holy Spirit. He lives in us and is with us ALL THE TIME.
And it hit me....Roadkill is in our diet. Because see, our family has allowed the gross, dead, decaying things of this world to creep into our lives. And the pure dove of the Holy Spirit is grieved because He does not like Road Kill.
Matter of fact, can you invision a dove trying to eat RoadKilll? no, it is usually a vulture.
Would you bring Road Kill in your house and put in on your couch? Sit it next to your children? stench and all it brings with it?
Worst, would you actually cook and make a meal from it? and ingest it?
But that is what we are doing when we tolerate sin and choose less than God's best for us personally and as families. We are bringing Roadkill into our homes. We are eating it, ingesting it, picking maggots & bugs out of teeth. AND WE MUST LIKE IT because we don't do anything about it.
And the Holy Spirit is grieved. Not angry. Grieved. Deep sorrow and angst over our hearts and over our choices.
So, personally, I don't want to eat any more RoadKill. I want a new diet. I want to clean out my personal sanctuary and my home.
Want to join me?
We have kinda skipped that part before....always focusing on "the talk" that comes out of our mouths and then v. 31, what you need to "get rid of".
But this time, the Lord said, "You grieve me."
What? What do you mean?
To grieve is to have deep sorrow. To grieve someone is to be the one INFLICTING the sorrow.
Ouch.
How Lord? How can we grieve the Holy Spirit? (and what does this have to do with Road Kill? hang on, you will see)
I began to search the Scriptures to find the answers....How do we grieve the Holy Spirit?
*By rebelling against the commands of the Lord (Isa 63:10, Ps 78:40) - that is called SIN. (just thought I would simplify things)
*By resisting the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:31) (when He leads us and we disobey His promptings/urgings....and that is called SIN...again, simplifying here)
It is easy to grieve the Holy Spirit. He lives in us and is with us ALL THE TIME.
And it hit me....Roadkill is in our diet. Because see, our family has allowed the gross, dead, decaying things of this world to creep into our lives. And the pure dove of the Holy Spirit is grieved because He does not like Road Kill.
Matter of fact, can you invision a dove trying to eat RoadKilll? no, it is usually a vulture.
Would you bring Road Kill in your house and put in on your couch? Sit it next to your children? stench and all it brings with it?
Worst, would you actually cook and make a meal from it? and ingest it?
But that is what we are doing when we tolerate sin and choose less than God's best for us personally and as families. We are bringing Roadkill into our homes. We are eating it, ingesting it, picking maggots & bugs out of teeth. AND WE MUST LIKE IT because we don't do anything about it.
And the Holy Spirit is grieved. Not angry. Grieved. Deep sorrow and angst over our hearts and over our choices.
So, personally, I don't want to eat any more RoadKill. I want a new diet. I want to clean out my personal sanctuary and my home.
Want to join me?
As a side note, for those of you who don't believe we have been serving up RoadKill here in Alabama, check out these recipes here.
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