DON'T PUT OUT YOUR FIRE

"Do not quench the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV

The Holy Spirit was moving in the Thessalonian church and Paul wanted the people in the church to guard against quenching what God was doing in their midst. What does Paul mean when he says, "Quench not the Spirit"? Different translations of this same verse can help clarify this statement made by Paul: "Do not quench (suppress or subdue)" (AMP); "Do not smother the Holy Spirit" (TLB); "Do not extinguish the Spirit’s fire."(Berkeley); and "Do not stifle the inspiration of the Spirit."(NEB).

The Greek word for "quench" is "Sbennumi" which means "to extinguish" or "to go out." The word quench in the Greek means to extinguish, suppress, subdue, stifle, snuff out or cause something to dry up. In scripture, the Holy Spirit has been likened to fire, and fire can be extinguished, stifled, or snuffed out.

You did not start or kindle the Heavenly Fire, but you can extinguish it. There are consequences when you quench the Spirit. When you do, God will be silent and when He leaves you, He will not announce it. The spirit of Error sets in; you'll start doing things in error (making mistakes and blunders). The mind becomes callous to all that class of truths and knowledge will be assumed (forgetting). Don't put out your own fire.

Further Scripture Study: 2 Timothy 1:6; Mark 9:50 

Declare This: Dear Father, I will not quench my fire neither will I allow any external force put it out. I will continue to follow after You with my whole heart in Jesus name Amen.