God's Holy Fire: 'Grieving the Holy Spirit'

Friday, July 10, 2026

[God] said, "Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me." So he became their Savior. In all their troubles, he was troubled, too. He didn't send someone else to help them. He did it himself, in person. Out of his own love and pity he redeemed them. He rescued them and carried them along for a long, long time. But they turned on him; they grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned on them, became their enemy and fought them.
— Isaiah 63:8-10 MSG

Key Thought

When we rebel against God, when we ignore his mercy and grace, when we do not do his will, we grieve the Holy Spirit. Immoral behavior and social injustice in Isaiah's day grieved the Holy Spirit. Paul also said that the way we use our speech and the ways we treat and interact with others could grieve the Spirit (Ephesians 4:29-31). The key message from God that I hear in this passage is powerful and plain: When I sin, when I am not compassionate, and when I am careless with my words, I am not just breaking the will of God, but I am also breaking the heart of the Holy Spirit of God.

Today's Prayer

O God, Abba Father, gracious Son, and abiding Holy Spirit, please forgive me for my reckless words and rebellious behaviors that break your heart and wound your people. Amen.

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Illustration

Illustration of Isaiah 63:8-10 MSG — "Without question these are my people, children who would never betray me."

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About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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