BEWARE OF THE TACKLES

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

 

Ephesians 4:30

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

 

Frank and Jim were similar in many ways. They were both intelligent. Each was in excellent physical condition. They had the same color hair. They were the same height. They shared the same parents. They were twins. There was one significant difference though. You will see from the following story how they differed in the manner with which they played football.

 

The basic format of football is two teams battle it out to get the football over the goal line. Various players are assigned positions, each of which has responsibilities. Frank and Jim were both wide receivers. Their job is to get in the open to receive passes from the quarterback so that they can run like-lightning to make a touchdown. The twins are excellent in perceiving how the defense is set up and how to take advantage of it. Both are faster runners than anyone else in the league. We find them in the midst of a crucial game against their cross-town rivals. The teams are lined up on the field snorting and cursing at one another. The quarterback calls out the play and the hike is made. The quarterback peddles back with the precious pigskin in hand, eyes darting about searching methodically for Frank who is in the game presently. He spots him open and shoots the football through the air like a bullet. A deep “thunk” can be heard as Frank catches the ball with his hands in his midriff. He doesn’t miss a step as he speeds down the field. All manner of chaos breaks out as the other team scrambles to tackle Frank. Frank jumps, evades, swerves, twists and turns to avoid their persistent attempts to bring him down. He has only one thing in mind, getting across the goal line. He crosses the 40 yard line, the 30, the 20, the 10 and the referee’s hands go up as Frank dances over the goal line and a victory shout goes up from the stands. Frank is ecstatic but his injured ankle is hurting. The coach takes him out of the game to rest and pats him on the back for a job well done. Jim replaces his brother in the game.

 

The game continues and later we find the twin’s team with the ball again. It’s Jim’s turn to make a touchdown. We see a repeat of the offensive pattern. The quarterback methodically calls out the play and then the hike. The quarterback fakes a pass the left, knowing Jim will be open on his right down field. Sure enough when he locates Jim he snaps the ball like a rocket. Jim catches the ball with his strong hands and proceeds down the field with as much speed as Frank. Again, the opposing team players focus on bringing Jim down. Jim heads for the nearest defensive player. The tackle takes advantage of the opportunity and smashes Jim to the ground only a few yards from where he caught the ball. A loud sigh is heard from the stands. The teams reassemble for the struggle for dominance. Again we hear the shouts of the quarterback, the hike; the ball is thrown like a torpedo in Jim’s direction. Again Jim latches onto the ball and proceeds like a locomotive down the field purposely right into the path of a defending opponent. Again, Jim is brought down hard to the ground. The scene is repeated over and over again as Jim aids in the defeat of his own team by running directly into the enemy’s path.

 

You can see Jim has a problem. While he has all the skills necessary to complete his task, unlike his twin brother, he fails because he not only allows, but also sets himself up for failure. Placing himself purposely in the path of an opposing player prevents him from accomplishing his goal of making a touchdown. I tell you this imaginary story for a reason. In our relationship with our Heavenly Father we often short-circuit or sabotage our efforts to develop intimacy with Him when we commit sin. The goal in our Christian life is to become more like Christ and grow spiritually which brings glory to our Savior. When we grow in Christ, we become more intimate in our relationship with Him. When we sin it blocks and hinders further intimacy. Just like Jim running directly at an opposing tackle, when we willfully choose to sin we place our healthy relationship with God in jeopardy. Ephesians 4:30 is a command and tells us “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” What does this mean?

 

Have you ever been hurt by words or actions of a friend? I mean really deeply hurt to the point it brought tears to your eyes. During these times we feel wounded. The relationship we had with the person has been damaged. We can suffer immensely during these times because of the trauma that our heart has experienced. Did you know that when you sin you grieve the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is not some energy or force of nature. He is God. He has emotions and a will. He can hurt and grieve just like us. When we sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit. We wound Him. We cause Him hurt. We block our relationship with Him and harm the intimacy we have with Him. Reconciliation is necessary to save our friendships and the same thing is needed when we grieve the Holy Spirit. We must confess our sin, recognize the error of our ways and restore our relationship with the Holy Spirit. The context of Ephesians 4:30 tells us some of the sins that can grieve the Spirit of God, unwholesome talk, bitterness, rage, anger, slander and malice are only a few. These are all actions that originate when our sinful flesh raises its ugly head in our lives. Only we are to blame when we manifest such actions. Just like Jim in the football game when we sin we chose to run directly at something which can block our relationship with God’s Spirit and keep us from the goal of becoming more like Christ. There is usually a reason that we chose such a course and it is explained by another verse.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:19 states “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” What does this mean? When we accept Christ as our Savior we are given a most holy and precious gift. We receive the Holy Spirit that lives within us. This verse does not mean that the Holy Spirit actually burns like a normal fire as we know it, but that He motivates and stimulates us with a passion to live as Jesus would. This spiritual passion can burn hotter than any earthly flame if we feed it with obedience to God’s Word. The Holy Spirit is both a comforter and a provoker. He instructs and guides. He is given to us so that we are enabled to live the Christian life for without Him it would be impossible. We are in a sense; bonded to Him in such a manner that when we sin it quenches or diminishes the influence He has over us. It is a mystery, but the almighty and powerful God does not force Himself upon us even though He could if He wanted to. The Holy Spirit has a gentle manner about Him when it comes to His dealings with us. He draws our attention to the life of Christ; He validates the Word of God and does so in a manner that encourages us to holy living. But we have the free will to ignore His promptings. We can snub His instruction. We can take for granted His presence in our lives. We can rebel against His advice. When we do this we begin to smother out the flame of conviction for holiness, the courage to live Christ-like and the compassion for truth that He supplies to us. As this flame falls to a flicker we experience deadness and blackness in our spiritual life. Just like a fire which is suffocating from lack of oxygen, we begin to smolder and smoke. Spiritually we fail to burn clean for the Lord and we begin to smell burnt and grow cold in the faith. Again the remedy is repentance, restoration and reconciliation with the Holy Spirit. Once this is done the spiritual flame burns brightly again. Unlike some of us, the Holy Spirit never holds a grudge. He is always willing to forgive and forget. He is right back with us immediately as soon as we confess our failings. Since He is God, He is faithful to the end and never holds our past sins against us. What a gift. What a friend. What a God!

 

So in the game of life don’t be a Jim and run into the tackles of the world, the flesh and the devil. Be like Frank and twist, turn, and twirl around those blockers that would hinder you from making touchdowns for the Lord! Listen to your coach, the Holy Spirit. He will never give you bad advice you and loves you more than you can ever comprehend.