2 Tim 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT
MONDAY, DECEMBER 22
1 Thessalonians 5:19
Galatians 5:16-26
“Quench not the Spirit.”
QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT
In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, the Holy Spirit is pictured like a flame or light that illumines our path and leads us in the way of righteousness. He burns within us, igniting our desire for the Lord and directing us to live for Him. The command here is that we must stop quenching (to extinguish or douse) the Spirit that is working within us. It does not mean that we can completely rid ourselves of the Spirit, but that through what we do (or not do), we ignore and suppress the influence of the Spirit in our lives.
As believers, we all have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. He has many functions in the believer’s life, all of which are critical to our spiritual growth and maturity. The Holy Spirit is our helper, comforter and guide. He convicts us of our sin and guides us into all truth, helping us to understand spiritual things. Through His working in us, we bear forth the fruit of the Spirit. He grants us spiritual gifts through which we can serve the Lord. With the illumination of the Spirit, we can understand and apply the Word of God in our lives. Through all this, we grow in our sanctification.
When we quench the Spirit, we are hindering the Spirit in fulfilling all the above-mentioned roles. How does that happen? It is when we live in sin and walk in carnality. Galatians 5:17 warns us that “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.” Our sins are like the dirt and soil that we throw over a flame to douse it. Our carnal life chokes the Spirit within us and prevents Him from leading us down the paths of righteousness. When we fail to pray, neglect to read His Word, avoid fellowship with God’s people, we ignore the means of grace that God has granted us to draw nigh to Him. This must stop.
Instead, let us sincerely desire to lead Spirit-filled lives. Rather than quenching, let us do all we can to ignite the flame of the Holy Spirit within us to burn greater and hotter. Let us pray earnestly that we will be filled with the Spirit and be faithful in all that we do.
THOUGHT: (Read Romans 8:6.)
PRAYER: Father, may Thou fill me with the Holy Spirit!