Cooperating with the Spirit

 1 Timothy 4-5; 2 Thessalonians 1-3

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

How do we put out the Spirit’s fire and why is it important we not do so?

We grieve the Holy Spirit with ‘unwholesome talk’ (Ephesians 4:29), with bitterness, anger, and sexual sin. We resist the Holy Spirit by responding in fear to the Spirit’s work and gifts. When we judge and criticize the use of the gifts of the Spirit, we are throwing cold water on the Spirit’s fire. For example, rather than discerning prophetic words and asking the Lord for wisdom and application, we treat these prophetic words with contempt. The proper response is not in questioning acceptance of every prophetic word, dream, or scriptural application; rather, we are to test everything through prayer and community discernment. That which is tested and affirmed must be held onto and preserved. Evil of every kind is the enemy of the Spirit’s work in the Church and this evil must be avoided. Satan’s schemes include dividing Churches, destroying prayer, and undermining leadership.

Are we pursuing the spirit and avoiding evil?

“Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to respond to your spirit in a way that builds our community and our faith, for your glory.”