Do Not Grieve The Spirit

Message Study Questions

Message Summary

In a Spirit-filled Christian, the Holy Spirit is unhindered, producing true Christian character, the fruit of the Spirit, service, praise, thanksgiving, guidance and encouragement.

How are we filled by the Spirit? Three conditions must be lived out continually to be filled by the Holy Spirit. Two of these are negative, they are “do nots” and the last one is positive.

The first do not is do not grieve the Holy Spirit, which means to tolerate sin in our lives.

Both the indwelling and continual filling of the Spirit in the believer – is a miraculous union with the perfect holy God which brings transformation and joy. Any sin in our life (especially ongoing unrepentant sin) damages that union.
Salvation remains secure, but spirituality suffers.

What is sin? It is choosing to live our own way instead of God’s way. It is rebellion against the Creator which ultimately just harms us. We cure sin by relying through faith on the power of the Holy Spirit to change us. We must confess sins without excuse. Own it. Confession restores our fellowship with God. Expect resistance from Satan, the culture and our own flesh.

Remember, Satan comes to deceive, kill, steal and destroy you. But you can submit, trust in faith, confess and continually “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24, NLT).

Victory is sweet!

1. What are some sins commonly tolerated by believers?
   

2. What does joy mean to you?
   

Consider This

“… Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity”
Ephesians 4:17-19

1. Read Ephesians 4:24-31. What old habits have you gotten rid of since you became a Christian? What habits do you still need to discard?
   

2. How can we bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit?
   

3. What does it mean to compartmentalize our sin from our faith?
   

4. How are Christians compared to non-believers in Ephesians 4:20-21?
   

5. What fruit of the Holy Spirit do you see in your life?
   

6. What does yielding to the Holy Spirit look like to you? What part does faith play? How is that faith demonstrated?
   

7. Read 1 John 1:5-10.

   • What does the phrase “God is light” mean to you?

   • What will the light show?

   • What is lying versus practicing the truth? Is there absolute truth?

   • Will God forgive you? How?
     

8. Read Matthew 7:3-5 and give an example (if you can) of a time when you have caught yourself judging another for something you do yourself?
   

9. How does Romans 13:14 apply to being continually filled with the Holy Spirit?
   

Moving Forward – Application

“The new life pressing from within outward. A dead leaf cannot remain where a new bud is springing, nor can worldliness remain where the blessings of the Spirit are flowing.” Lewis Sperry-Chafer.

1. What sinful behavior can you surrender to the Holy Spirit this week? Is there a trusted someone who you could ask to pray for you for this?
   

2. What step could you take to change a sinful behavior pattern this week?
   

3. What could you do to get along with others this week in a more positive way?
   

4. Memorize Ephesians 4:32 this week. Who do you need to forgive? How can you work on that this week?