Quenching the Spirit

“Quench not the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19).

Introduction

As we read the Bible, especially the New Testament, we realise that the Holy Spirit wants to minister to and through us. Because we often allow sin, the flesh and the world to hinder His work, we are in fact quenching the Holy Spirit in our lives. Most people think that quenching the Spirit takes place within the four walls of a church, but Paul’s message is to individuals as well as a community of believers. “Where the Spirit is, He burns" (Johann Albrecht Bengel).

Do not quench the Spirit

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire” (Matthew 3:11) … “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:3-4).

We all know that a fire can be put out by various means, so it ought not surprise us to learn that the Holy Spirit’s power, work and ministry in us can be smothered and extinguished too. Instead of quenching the fire, we need to continuously fan the flame so that it burns even brighter. “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). “Do not resist [Him], or counteract [His] influence by sensual lives. He does who disobeys the word of God, refuses to follow the exhortations of those led by the Spirit, or who stifles his own conscience” (People’s New Testament Commentary). “My spirit shall not always strive with man” (Genesis 6:3).

Do not grieve the Spirit

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

Grieving the Holy Spirit is usually done through persistent disobedience to God’s word and His leading. “Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways” … “But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?” (Hebrews 3:10, 17). It is one of the quickest ways to make an enemy of God, “But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them” (Isaiah 63:10).

Be filled with the Spirit

“Be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

This is the only way to avoid quenching the Holy Spirit. Be filled is not meant as a one off Pentecostal experience, but is a daily and constant willingness to allow Him to lead, guide and even control our lives. This filling means that He abides in us, but must include the concept that our lives must be motivated by Him. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

Conclusion

We see then that it is the deeds of the flesh that put a dampener on the move of the Holy Spirit in our individual lives. Let us stop thinking that quenching the Holy Spirit is only done by the leaders of the church. The church is the end product of what each individual believer is. Whenever the Spirit of God is hindered, resisted or denied, then the power is turned off and the flame goes out. “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). The fire must not be quenched. “Wherever it is, it burns; it flames in holy love, in joy, prayer, thanksgiving. O quench it not, damp it not in yourself or others, either by neglecting to do good, or by doing evil!” (John Wesley).