Before doing this Bible study, please read the introduction in the 1-minute Bible Love Note Grieved, Repressed, Insulted. It explains the importance of understanding that our Lord suffers grief when we reject Him or refuse to obey His loving commands.
1. Grieving God's Spirit
In Ephesians 4:30 we're told not to grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Read the full context of this verse below and explain how the context adds meaning to this command. What does it mean to grieve God's Spirit?
Ephesians 4:17-32: "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. 20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Ephesians 4:30: "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin)."
2. Quenching God's Spirit
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19 we're told not to "quench" the Spirit. The Greek word used for quench means to extinguish, stifle, or suppress. Read the full context of this verse below and explain how the context adds meaning to the command. What does it mean to quench God's Spirit?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24: "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
The Bite Size Study The Politely Skeptical Bereans will also add meaning to this passage.
Note that thoughts, words, and actions are addressed in these passages. Isaiah 63 also talks about the way men grieve the Spirit (v. 10). Read through that passage and notice how completely God gives His love, only to be rejected. Notice that He doesn't punish wrongdoing until He has given many opportunities and patient reminders.
For additional insights see What it means to grieve or quench the Holy Spirit.
copyright, Gail Burton Purath, 2013, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2021
Bite Size Bible Study
No comments:
Post a Comment