GRIEVE NOT THE SPIRIT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA · Sep 6, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 36.

GRIEVE NOT THE SPIRIT.

1. THE office of the Holy Spirit is threefold: (a) It is to be a comforter of the Lord's people. John 14:16-18. (b) It is to reprove, or convince, the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment. Chapter 16:7-11. (c) It is to be the teacher and guide in all things pertaining to the truth. Chapter 14:26; 16:13.

2. It is through the Spirit that our prayers are made effectual. Rom. 8:26, 27.

3. The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the Christian's only weapon of warfare. The rest of his armor is defensive. Eph. 6:13-17.

4. The only unpardonable sin is the sin against the Holy Spirit—attributing its work to the work of Satan. Matt. 12:22-32.

5. The sin against the Holy Spirit is unpardonable, because it is a rejection of the only means by which one may be convinced of sin and led to Christ, who alone can forgive sin. John 16:8-11.

6. The minister of Christ is qualified for his work by endowment with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8; 2:1-4, 16-21.

7. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." Gal. 5:22, 23.

8. What the human race needs is liberty (Rom. 5:12, 18); Jesus Christ came to "proclaim liberty" (Isa. 61:1; John 8:36); and "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:17.

9. For the foregoing reasons, it is highly important that we "quench not the Spirit," and "despise not prophesyings," which are given through its dictation for our instruction. 1 Thess. 5:19, 20.

10. For the same reasons, we are enjoined to "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." Eph. 4:30.