What are the things, then, that cause us to sometimes lose our joy? The first item is sin. Joy depends on our having unbroken fellowship with God, but sin separates us from Him and causes Him to hide His face (Isaiah 59:1-2).
The second item is grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). When we are saved, we become God's temple and have His Spirit indwelling us (1 Corinthians 6:17, 19; Romans 8:9, 11, 16). This Spirit within is not a "force" or a "thing," (1 Corinthians 15:45; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 13:5). Like every living person, he has feelings and attitudes. Thus, when we speak or do things contrary to him, he is grieved within us. When the Holy Spirit is grieved, our spirit, which is joined to God (1 Corinthians 6:17), is grieved, and we lose our joy.
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