"Quench not the Spirit." 1 Thessalonians 5:19
How does one quench the Spirit? I suppose there are as many ways to suppress the Spirit within us as there are things we can do, say, or think. Today I was thinking that one way we quench the Spirit is when He leads us to pick up God's Word and read it. To love it like Christ loved the scrolls of old. To hunger after God's instructions and guidance as we do our favorite meal. To look forward to time with God as much as we look forward to that Monday night football game, or emailing friends. To savor the time so much that I forego all other activities.
Sometimes I wonder how many times the Spirit speaks to me, and I ignore Him. Do I follow the gentle urgings to speak to someone? To send that card that makes no sense just because their name came to my mind? To pray for someone He places in my thoughts? To share the story of Jesus in my conversations? To forgive when someone needs forgiving? To repent when convicted of some sin?
Do I extinguish His fire in me by holding back the Truth He's given me to share? Do I stifle Him when I complain and focus on the trials of the world rather than His grace in the world? I think it is possible. So much to surrender...so much to learn. Grow me, Lord. selahV
