And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus….
— Colossians 3:17

As you know, the Holy Spirit lives inside you if you have been born again, and your body individually is His temple here on the earth (see 1 Corinthians 6:19,20). After Jesus died for you, washed you with His blood, and placed His Holy Spirit inside you, don’t you think you should think once, twice, or more about everything you do?

The Holy Spirit — your internal Resident — is right there with you all the time. And whatever you say, do, watch, or participate in, you involve Him because He lives inside you. So if you can say and do things, knowing those words and deeds will bless the Holy Spirit and honor the name of Jesus, then go right ahead and say and do them. But if you are even a bit concerned that what you say or do will grieve the Spirit or bring dishonor to the name of Jesus, you should refrain from it.

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In Colossians 3:17, the apostle Paul said, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus….” Let’s look at this verse a little deeper today.

The word “whatsoever” is translated from the Greek phrase ti ean. The word ti describes the most minute, miniscule detail. This is important, because it tells us God is concerned about every action in our lives — not only the large ones, but even the smallest. The word ean generalizes the subject to mean whatever. But when ti ean are used together, it can be translated whatsoever, as the King James Version records it. But it is important for you to know that included in this word “whatsoever” is the picture of every little detail, even the smallest, most minute, miniscule detail.

This verse continues, “And whatever you do….” The word you “do” is a form of the Greek word poieo, which has a wide range of meanings in the New Testament. Here, however, it infers any action that one does. It is another word with wide-range meaning, which tells us that we must be careful about whatever we say and do, for every little action has an impact on our internal Resident, the Holy Spirit, and on the honor we should bring to the name of Jesus with our lives.

Colossians 3:17 continues, “And whatever you do in word….” The word “word” comes from the Greek word logos, and it depicts spoken words. This means that our words have an impact on the indwelling Holy Spirit and the manner in which we honor the Lord Jesus.

In other words, there are some types of verbal communication that should never come out of the mouth of a committed Christian. We read about this in Ephesians 4:29,30, where we are commanded, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God….”

I want you to especially notice it says that we must not allow “corrupt” communication to proceed out of our mouths, for it “grieves” the Holy Spirit. The word “corrupt” is the Greek word sapros, which describes anything that is rank, foul, putrid, rotten, corrupt, or worthless. This could include gossipy language or simply putrid talk. Ephesians 4:30 says that it “grieves” the Spirit when a believer talks like this. The word “grieve” is lupete, and it means it deeply pains the Spirit when a believer talks in this fashion.

This tells us that when a Christian uses corrupt language — which could include anything that doesn’t minister life to someone else — or any language that is rotten and worthless, it grieves the Holy Spirit and brings dishonor to the name of Jesus. Thus we must avoid being gossipy or using language that is not worthy of Jesus’ name or the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.

But the verse goes on to say, “And whatever you do in word or deed….” The word “deed” is a form of the Greek word ergos, which refers to our actions or deeds. This would include our treatment of others, how we handle our money, what we do with our time, what we look at on TV or on the Internet, etc.

“Deed” — ergos — is all-inclusive of everything, making it impossible to give a full list of “deeds” here. But if you will listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit, you will know when your actions or deeds grieve Him. When that occurs, simply back off, immediately repent, and resolve not to do it again.

Paul continues in Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus….” The word “all” in Greek is the compound word panta — which is the word pan, meaning all, with the affixed ta, referring to everything. Thus the word panta means all things — nothing excluded. We are to do everything we do — nothing excluded — in the name, or to the honor, of our Lord Jesus.

  • If the movies or TV programs you want to watch don’t give honor to the name of Jesus…
  • If what you’re watching on the Internet doesn’t give honor to the name of Jesus…
  • If the words you are speaking don’t give honor to the name of Jesus…
  • If anything you want to do doesn’t give honor to the name of Jesus…
  • THEN DON’T DO IT! It’s just that simple.

We need to examine our lives and see if we are living in a way that honors the indwelling Spirit and the name of Jesus.

The truth is, you probably already know what you do that doesn’t honor the Holy Spirit and the name of Jesus. You may have hardened your heart so you don’t feel conviction about it anymore — but if you are serious about your walk with God, you must turn from these things that grieve Him and renew your tenderness to the Holy Spirit and your honor for the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

If your heart has already been hardened in an area that causes you to do and say things that are displeasing to the Holy Spirit and dishonoring to the name of Jesus, it will require your solid commitment — not based on feelings or emotions — for you to return to your first love (see Revelation 2:4). You must decide with steadfast determination that you are returning to a life and a lifestyle that pleases the Holy Spirit and brings honor and glory to Jesus’ name.

It’s difficult to soften a hardened heart, but if you make the decision to do it, you can do it — and the flames that once burned in your heart will begin to blaze for Jesus again. When those fires are blazing, you’ll never want to do anything to offend the abiding Holy Spirit or to bring dishonor to the precious name of Jesus.

Today I urge you to take a good look at your words and actions and see if they bring honor or dishonor to the Holy Spirit and to the name of Jesus. If you have fallen in an area, ask the Holy Spirit to help renew you and bring you back to a place of tenderness, where you would never want to do anything to offend His presence or Jesus’ precious name. If you are willing, He is willing to start the process of renewing and refreshing you today. Why not get started now?

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I examine my life to see if I am living in a way that honors the indwelling Spirit and the name of Jesus. Help me recognize the attitudes and actions that don’t honor the Holy Spirit or exalt the name of Jesus in my life. I ask You to forgive me and to help me to become sensitive in spirit if I have hardened my heart through unbelief and disobedience. Lord, as honestly as I know how, I am serious about my walk with You, so I ask You to please help me to turn away from anything that grieves You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

 

MY CONFESSION FOR TODAY


I confess that I make it my aim that whatever I do in word or deed, I do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. I take every thought captive to do His will, and I endeavor to think, speak, and act in a way that only gives honor to my Lord Jesus Christ.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

 

QUESTIONS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER

  1. Can you honestly say that you are living a life that causes the Holy Spirit to dwell comfortably inside you and that gives honor to the name of Jesus?
  2. If the Holy Spirit brings an area of your life to your attention in which you’ve been grieving Him with your words or deeds, what will you do as a consequence? How will you respond?
  3. Is the Holy Spirit comfortable with every place you go and everything you watch?