Today’s devotion comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.
“19 Do not quench the Spirit;
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
22 abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.
——————————-
What are some of the actions of the Spirit that we should be careful to not quench?
We read one of them in the next verse: prophetic utterances. Verse 20.
But, particularly as Reformed believers, we rightly bristle against actions of TV evangelists who claim that they can heal through the Spirit almost anyone who is willing to come forward to them.
We are advised in the following two verses to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good” and “abstain from every form of evil.”
So, let us stay close to Scripture as we seek to determine some of the actions of the Spirit that we should be careful to not quench.
The context of today’s Scripture, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, also instructs us about Christian conduct. We can infer that the Holy Spirit guides us to act in Christian conduct as we should, including to: “esteem them (our leaders) very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” and “always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks”.
Therefore, when we act inconsistent with the actions of the Spirit which prompt us to so act in love for the good of others and with joy and thanks and prayer in our hearts, then we may be quenching the Spirit.
We certainly don’t want to limit quenching the Spirit to such inconsistent acts. As stated above, we can’t ignore verse 20: “do not despise prophetic utterances”. But, by reference to the verses prior to today’s Scripture, I wanted to point out that there are also other ways to quench the Spirit than just through the specific expressed way of despising prophetic utterances.
We are not quenching the Spirit by not allowing a “free for all” display of claimed “in the Spirit” healings, speaking in tongues, and prophecies. We are instructed to “examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good”. Even in a chapter that specifically promotes prophecy (1 Corinthians Chapter 14), we are instructed: “But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.” 1 Corinthians 14:40.
In a similar verse to today’s verse 19 (“Do not quench the Spirit;”), we read Ephesians 4:30. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Let us look at the context of this Ephesians 4:30. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:29-32.
It is remarkable that we find a similar context surrounding both today’s Scripture and surrounding Ephesians 4:20. There is edification which is the goal of prophecy. See 1 Corinthians 14:3, 4, 12, and especially 26. “What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.” 1 Corinthians 14:26. “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” John 16:13
And, there is also present in both contexts the proper attitude. We already read the proper attitude in the context of today’s Scripture which I will summarize as “Live in peace with one another. … always seek after that which is good for one another”. In this last context of Ephesians 4:20, the proper attitude is expressed as: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other”.
In summary and conclusion, when we quench edification or quench the making of peace and the seeking of good for one another, then we are in danger of quenching the Spirit. There are other ways to quench the Spirit which we should seek to determine. But, let us at least gain insight from today’s devotion and be careful to not quench edification and be careful to not quench the making of peace and the seeking of good for one another.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 