Q

Quench

We find the word quench in 1 Thessalonians 5:19.
“Quench not the Spirit.” (King James Version)
“Do not smother the Holy Spirit.” (Living Bible)
“Don’t suppress the Holy Spirit.” (Message)

The message is clear, but how do we keep from quenching, smothering, suppressing the Holy Spirit? We can get our answer from the rest of the Scripture:

“Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 KJV)

#1: We quench the Holy Spirit by believing false doctrine.

We live in a culture saturated in false teaching that gives us the opposite of what Christ wants us to believe.

A few examples:
• You get to heaven by being good.

Scripture teaches that none of us are good enough to get to heaven on our own.

• Hell doesn’t exist.

Jesus actually spoke more about hell during His time on earth than He did about heaven. It’s real.

• We should accept everyone.

Love everyone, yes. Accept sinful behavior, no.

• Everyone will go to heaven because God is love.

God is also holy and cannot allow sin into His perfect Kingdom. That’s why He sent His only Son, Jesus, to pay the price for our sins—so we can be forgiven and live forever with Him. But we must confess, repent, and accept this.

#2: We quench the Holy Spirit when we despise His gifts.

Some in the Thessalonian church (to whom Paul was writing) looked down on the gift of prophecy. They had seen it misused, therefore, they viewed it in contempt.

Paul’s response was right on the mark: “Yep, that happens. So test everything. (John repeats this in 1 John 4:1-3) Hold fast to what is good, throw away the rest.

#3: We quench the Holy Spirit by neglecting the gifts He has given us. Paul cautioned Timothy not to neglect the gift he had.

#4: We quench the Holy Spirit when we don’t express our emotions when He moves.

Check out what Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:18-19.

“Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled
with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your
heart.”

The fullness of the Holy Spirit overflows in appropriate expressions
such as singing, joy, and melody from the heart.

Could you be quenching the Holy Spirit? Something worth praying about. Another Q word in the Bible is Queen. Esther was a great one. Queasy isn’t in the Bible . . . but the disciples knew all about it first-hand when they found themselves on a boat in the middle of a storm! Quarrels are found in Scripture a LOT. Too many to mention here.

Bible scholars have searched for ages but still haven’t found Quaker Oats in the Bible. It’s a shame because I think Martha
would have made a mean bowl of ‘em.

Love,
Susie