Don’t Put Out the Holy Spirit

Are you a fan or a fire extinguisher? That’s the question we need to ask when it comes to whether we’re quenching the Holy Spirit.

This was what Paul told the church in Thessalonica.

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

The word “quench” means, “To put out, extinguish, suppress, or put an end to.” Literally it means, “Don’t put out the Holy Spirit’s fire.”

The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:19)

Now, besides being our guide through this life, speaking God’s truth into our lives (John 16:13), the Holy Spirit also equips us to live effectively, and He does so by giving to us various gifts.

These gifts include the word of wisdom and knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues and the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)

But here’s the key, they aren’t given for us to use just for our own benefit. Rather they’ve been given to benefit others. Paul said that they were given for everyone’s common good

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. (1 Corinthians 12:7)

And so we quench the Holy Spirit when we don’t access these gifts or use them within the ministry of the church.

How can we prevent this from happening? The Apostle Paul gives us the answer in what He tells his protégé Timothy. He said not to let the gift of the Holy Spirit languish, but to get it burning brightly once again.

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” (2 Timothy 1:6a)

And so the question becomes, are you a fan or a fire extinguisher. Are you fanning to flame the gift the Holy Spirit gave to you by using it for the good of others, or are you extinguishing that flame by keeping it all to yourself.