Holy Grief

It seems that one of the ways we can grieve the Holy Spirit is through the things we say. Eph. 4:29~32 reminds us of this.

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Sometimes, in the midst of a conflict, I read these words, and it sets me in a right place. Our motivation to be kind and forgiving even to those who "deserve" our bitter words and anger, is because God in Christ was kind and forgiving to us. We turn our focus from our anger and "rightness" and think about the grace of God and how much we are in need of His forgiveness. It makes others offenses seem less offensive when we see them in the light of our own sin and the incomparable kindness of God shown to us in Christ Jesus.