(Eph. 4:30)
The Holy Spirit is a believer’s seal and companion (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13-14; 2 Cor. 6:1).
The primary purpose of the Holy Ghost given to the believer is for the spreading of the gospel for the conviction of sinners unto repentance (John 16:7-8; Acts 1:8).
The commonest way by which believers grieve the Holy Spirit is through neglecting the work of evangelism. Lost of companionship with Him starts with grieving Him. He is grieved when His presence, voice or leading in the Church or in a believer is ignored by the believer (cons. Romans 8:5-7; Rev. 2:7, 17).
Continuous grieving of the Holy Spirit leads to resisting Him through covering of sin (Prov. 28:13), and finally to the quenching of the Spirit ( Acts 7:51; 1 Thess. 5:19).
A believer that has quenched the Holy Spirit is in a backslidden state and when a Christian becomes graceless in this state, the following will be observed;
- Spiritual things will not appeal to him any more.
- He will no more be able to worship God in a way that is acceptable.
- He will be living a graceless life (cons. John 4:24; Rom. 6:14 ).
- Prayer and Christian Service will be tiresome and boring
Our Christian life and service require adequate supply of grace by the Spirit of grace (Rom. 8:26; Heb.10:29). The grace of God the Father, and the Son cannot abide with a believer that has lost fellowship with the Holy Ghost though he still comes to Church and fellowship with follow believers. This is a terrible state, as it can lead to apostasy.
Examine yourselves whether you have lost fellowship with Him.