Don’t Quench the Spirit

I Thessalonians 5:16-19

Having grown up on the Navajo Reservation, and observed a large number of “revivals” and tent meetings, I am somewhat skeptical as to their value to the church. Too many appear to be based on an emotional rather than a spiritual basis. As a result, I viewed our pastor’s decision to hold a tent meeting with some misgivings. Nevertheless, I attended, with hopes of better things and the crowd was fairly good.

There was some response to the invitation and people seemed involved. Suddenly, a cell phone sounded, and a lady hastily grabbed her purse. Our pastor jumped up and ordered her to shut that thing off, accusing her of disrupting the service. Our pastor blamed the cell phone for quenching the Spirit, but the next night hardly anyone came to the meetings. The lady had been one of group who had chosen that night to visit. None of them has ever come back, and several church members quit as well.

Over the years, I have seen Satan use all kinds of disruptions to try to quench the spirit, from sheep and dogs entering the church, to car wrecks and police chases on the street outside. Cell phones ringing and crying children were common place occurrences and while annoying, had little effect. The pastor’s angry comments, however, definitely destroyed any interest in knowing his God. Since the Holy Spirit is God, there is no physical event that can block his power. Humans can, however, refuse to allow his working in their life, quenching the Spirit. The spirit was not quenched by the cell phone ringing, but by the reaction of the people to the pastor’s outburst.

Paul gives several instructions that will greatly enhance our ability to experience the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives, Failure to follow them hinders and sometimes quenches his efforts. He does not force us to accept his working, wanting us to experience his love, and to learn to love him in return. Our attitude, sometimes referred to as our spirit, will greatly affect the outcome of the Holy Spirit’s work. Notice the instructions,

“Rejoice evermore.” (I Thessalonians 5:16)

The fruit of the Spirit is described in Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Most of the fruit of the spirit is more about our attitude than about the actual actions. The proper attitude will produce much better actions.

We’ve all seen how a whiney, resentful attitude will prevent a person from enjoying even the most enjoyable things, and from learning things that are presented. It has the same effect on our spiritual life. Enjoy, and rejoice both are rooted in the word joy. If we do not do them, the Holy Spirit cannot produce joy in our lives, nor will we experience peace, faith, or real temperance. As Christians, we have reason for rejoicing, regardless of our circumstances, as Peter makes abundantly clear.

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” (I Peter 4:12-13)

Our problems are not the end, but just a step in God’s plan Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” If we love God and allow him to have his way, the end result will benefit us. Rejoice.

Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer is communicating with God. It is as essential in maintaining a proper relationship with God as it is in maintaining a proper relationship in a marriage. In a marriage, the most meaningful communications are rarely planned. They may result from unexpected and dramatic events, or from some of the most mundane occurrences. They will not occur unless both are free to share without fear of being misunderstood or rejected. They seldom, if ever, occur in public or planned settings, usually arising from things happening around us and our reaction to those things.

Jesus warned that public prayers produced self gratification but no spiritual results. The beneficial prayers would be private communication with God, and would not be ritual prayers or repetitious. God wants to hear what we think and feel, not what some one else does, and not what we thought or felt yesterday.

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (Matthew 6:5-7)

Our prayer life ought to be much like two people walking together, sharing their thoughts and impressions as they travel, never really ending.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Not only are we to rejoice in everything that happens, but we ought to be thankful for them. Philippians 4:6-7 promises that by praying and thanking God rather than worrying, we can receive God’s peace, a part of the fruit of the Spirit. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

In thanking God for what is occurring, we praise him. In fact that is how Hebrews 13:35 defines praise. “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Failure to give thanks hinders or quenches the Spirit’s action in our life.

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

Quench means to extinguish, to put out (fire), to stifle, check or repress, according to Webster’s Encyclopedic dictionary. Anything which hinders the Holy Spirit’s free action in our lives is quenching him. Any form of known sin has this effect, but there are things we can do to free his working. Along with preceding list, heeding Philippians 4:8-9 will greatly enhance his working in our life. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

By taking control of our thoughts and actions, to focus on what pleases God will result in the Holy Spirit producing fruit in our life.