Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you – Ephesians 4:29-32, ESV
As true believers and followers of Christ, we are to use our mouths to build up, encourage and give grace to others. Our words should give joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness and grace to those who hear us. They are to be seasoned with good will, loving-kindness and favour. Words can lift up and they can tear down.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when we don’t manifest His fruit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or meekness and self-control but instead, display the works of the flesh which are bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (shouting) and evil speaking. Those who belong to Christ should not act like this. These are the actions or behaviors of our old nature. When we become a member of the body of Christ which is His church, we put off our old nature and put on the new one.
When we put away old, sinful habits, we don’t give place to the devil who wants us to continue walking in the flesh and doing the things which will grieve God, the Holy Spirit. Let us not make the Holy Spirit sorrowful by acting like children of the devil.
There is a war raging between the Spirit and the flesh. You determine who will win and the apostle Paul explains how. “So, I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:17, NLT). When we live by the power and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will have victory over the flesh.
Notes to Women 