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I. WHO, THEN, ARE THEY, WHO ARE TOLD NOT TO GRIEVE THE SPIRIT OF GOD? It must needs be those with whom He has already taken up His abode. We may anger a stranger, but we grieve a friend.

II. But let us consider is WHAT WAYS THE BELIEVING CHRISTIAN MAY GRIEVE GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT.

1. If we give way to any sin in thought, word, or deed, we are then grieving the Holy Spirit.

2. But it is not only thus that we are in danger of grieving the Spirit of God; it is not only by what we do amiss, but by what we leave undone.

3. Another way of grieving the Holy Spirit is by neglecting those means of grace by which God is pleased, to work in our souls.

III. WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF GRIEVING THE SPIRIT OF GOD?

1. We thereby become guilty of great ingratitude.

2. We also hinder our own advance in holiness and goodness.

3. And, in so doing, we lose the comforts of religion.

4. Once more: by grieving God's Holy Spirit, we unfit ourselves for doing good to men, and so adorning the gospel.

(E. Blencowe, M. A.)

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KJV: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

WEB: Don't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.