In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, we read, “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.” Another translation says, “Do not quench the Holy Spirit.” The word “stifle” or “quench” contains the idea of making one feel “constrained or oppressed.” It also means to “prevent something from happening.”
Sometimes on a very hot day, I love something very cold to drink to quench my thirst. That cold drink won’t make our thirst go away forever, but it will suppress it for a while. It is interesting to note that the Greek word that is translated here as “quench” means to extinguish. A modern English translation says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” Quenching the Holy Spirit means we can resist something the Holy Spirit wants to do in us and through us. It is refusing to follow His leading, ignoring His warnings, and charging ahead to do things our way and in our own timing.
In Hebrews 12:29, we read, “For our God is consuming/devouring fire.” The Holy Spirit is indestructible in His Person and inextinguishable in His strength, so it is impossible to put out the fire of the Holy Spirit, but we can resist Him. We can either yield to the Holy Spirit or quench (temporarily) the Spirit’s work. To quench the Spirit is to say ‘no’ to the LORD in these moments and to choose instead to pursue our own personal goals. Does that sound familiar to you? Earlier in my walk with the LORD, I sensed Him saying, “I want you in the ministry.” That was not what I wanted, so for some time I resisted the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I felt miserable.
My attitude was nasty, and it affected my relationships, my schoolwork, and my chores at home. It wasn’t until the day I broke and surrendered to the LORD and said, “Not my will, but Your will be done,” that I had peace again and was finally willing to do God’s will. From that time right up to the present time, I have loved serving the Lord as a pastor/teacher/shepherd. If we rely on our own wisdom and strength, we are certain to fail. But in the strength of the Holy Spirit, we are in a position to be more than conquerors over everything that confronts us.
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 8:37, wrote, “I am all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” If you have been resisting the Holy Spirit, ask Him to forgive your rebellion and to help you to obey His gentle voice. Ask Him to renew His power and work within you. If you do this, you will be amazed at how spiritually refreshed you will be.
Paul, in Romans 8:14-15, wrote, “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to Sonship. And by Him we cry ‘Abba Father.’”
Prayer
Precious Holy Spirit, please forgive me for the times I have resisted You and tried to drown out Your voice speaking to my heart. From now on, I want only Your will for the rest of my life. I want to be amazed at all You can accomplish through a yielded heart and life. Amen
