By David Ettinger
A Balanced Approach
I remember back in the late 1980s hearing our pastor, during a sermon, say, “I’m surprised how many people came up to me after last week’s message thinking I was speaking about them.”

His sermon had to do with sins Christians commit and need to repent of. Our pastor clarified that he did not have in mind any of those who approached him, but complimented them for their sensitivity. He went on to say that it is good for believers to examine themselves, but at the same token not to apply every sermon or chastising Bible passage unnecessarily.
I appreciated his balanced approach, and always kept this in mind. If I heard a message or read a Bible passage which truly convicted my spirit, then I took it to heart and applied it. However, if I was walking solidly with the Lord, I considered the wisdom of what was said or written, and held on to it for another time.
Proper Application
We should always aim for proper application of sermons and Bible passages, which brings me to a passage I believe, when applied to the entirety of the believer’s walk with God, is always applicable.

Psalm 78, written by Asaph, is a condemnation of ancient Israel, which persistently spurned God’s goodness with constant sin and acts of faithlessness. The key passage is verses 40-42: “How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power, the day when He redeemed them from the adversary.”
Talk about proper application! Yes, this is addressed to ancient Israel, and not everything God said to ancient Israel applies to believers today, but this passage does!
Self-Examination
For believers, self-examination at this point is called for. Answer “yes” or “no” to the following:
- During your Christian walk, and particularly within the past three months, have you “rebelled,” i.e., “sinned” against God?
- During your Christian walk, and particularly in the past three months, have you “grieved” God with your behavior, whether “aggressive” (willing sin) or “passive” (neglecting Him)?
- During your Christian walk, and particularly in the past three months, have you “tempted” – a better translation is “tested” – God with acts of disobedience?”
Of course, these are all rhetorical questions: the answers are – or should be – “yes” without even have to think about them.

“Paining” God
By committing the above, do you realize you have “pained the Holy One of Israel?” (Note, the NASB version is the only one which uses the term “pained.” Other versions use “vexed,” “provoked,” and “distressed.”)
Sometimes it is difficult to believe that such measly individuals as ourselves can bring pain to the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the Universe, but it is true. Don’t forget, we are made in God’s image, which means we are given intellect to think as God thinks; will to do His bidding; and emotions to feel as He feels. We can feel love, sympathy, and pain because God feels love, sympathy, and pain.
So yes, God feels pain, a pain similar – I imagine – to what parents feel when their children either go astray or neglect them. We pain God by willful sinning. We pain God by neglecting to thank Him for the goodness He bestows upon us. We pain God by failing to spend time with Him in prayer and in Bible reading.
And, according to this passage, we pain God by neglecting to thank Him for redeeming us from the power of the adversary, in our case, Satan. I know most of us thank God every time we sit down for a meal, but do we thank Him at least once daily for saving us? Me neither, and I believe this pains God.
A Painful Truth
It is a painful truth that we as Christians pain God, but being aware of it is a good way to deal with it. Examine the things in your life that could be paining God, and make a legitimate effort to curb it. For the God who loves you so much that He sent His Son to die for you, can you do any less?
May God bless you abundantly as you determine to bring Him joy rather than pain!
Blue Collar Theologian
October 1, 2020
My answers are for sure yes, any other answer would be a lie. Great truth, many people avoid discussing God feeling pain.
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Bruce Cooper
October 1, 2020
There’s an awful lot of truth in this post David. Thank you! Blessings.
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seekingdivineperspective
October 1, 2020
Yes! Jesus went through enough pain for me. Now I want to make Him smile, make Him laugh with pleasure! I want to be the child He delights in, not a child that pains Him!
My prayer partner, a spiritual warrior, had a dream one night that she was with her little toddler Jessica and was confronted by a witch she had had a run-in with in the past. After getting in her face and unsuccessfully screaming at her, (my friend replied, “I rebuke you in Jesus’ name.”) the frustrated witch turned to Jessica and kicked her in the stomach. My friend and I agreed on the meaning of this dream: If the devil can’t get to us directly, he’ll hurt us by hurting our children. I believe that’s how he tries to hurt God, too.
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dettinger47
October 1, 2020
Good illustration. And an interesting one.
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Tom
October 1, 2020
Thanks, David. Many pastors these days would avoid preaching about how disobedient behavior grieves/pains God because that would seem too “negative.”
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dettinger47
October 1, 2020
So true, Tom. Challenging the congregation seems to cut down on giving and people in the seats!
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Sheila D.Currie Blake
October 1, 2020
Lord may my life cause you to smile in Jesus name.
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dettinger47
October 1, 2020
Amen, Sheila.
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The Son Of God
October 1, 2020
Your message of great truth, without a doubt!
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dettinger47
October 2, 2020
Thank you!
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