Some cars have gauges to tell you the engine temperature, the oil pressure, the electric charge and so on. Other cars have warning lights, often called “idiot lights,” because many people won’t keep an eye on their gauges. When your temperature light comes on; it’s time to pull over and stop. You’ve got a problem. In a similar sense, the Holy Spirit warns us about sin and temptation. This is called conviction. He convicts us of sin before we actually sin.

He also convicts us of sin after we sin. He convicts you to repent, to turn away from it. This is especially true when you pray, worship and seek the Lord. You don’t have peace with God until you deal with your sin.

When we ignore His conviction, His prompting and warnings we “grieve” him. We cause him sorrow. His purpose is to move us away from sin and when we ignore Him we “grieve” Him.

When I was a teenager, my parents often gave me advice about how to act, who to run with and what not to do. When I ignored their advice, I grieved them. They would worry over me. I have those same feelings about people I counsel. When I give them biblical instruction, for their own good and they ignore my admonitions, I grieve. I know they are headed for heartache. So, in a similar way, we grieve the Holy Spirit when we ignore His conviction.

#2 We quench the Spirit by refusing His control.

In today’s verse, we read about a contrast. Don’t be controlled by liquor but be controlled by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, we chafe under this command!