“QUENCH… QUENCH NOT”

“…quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” —Ephesians 6:16
“Quench not the Spirit” —1 Thessalonians 5:19

Each time the word “quench” occurs in the New Testament it is connected with fire (Mt. 12:20; Mk. 9:43-48). To quench means to “extinguish, subdue, stifle, snuff out.”

Hellish fires need to stopped — “…quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Holy fire needs to be stoked — “Quench not the Spirit.” Too often we are stoking the devil’s fires and quenching the Spirit’s fire.

When the Holy Spirit prompts us to do something, (go witness to someone; pass out a tract; ask someone for forgiveness; enlist in some area of service), and we say “No,” we have quenched the Spirit.

Fire can also be quenched from lack of fuel (Prov. 26:20). Fire must be maintained or it goes out. That is why we may be “on fire for God” one day and lukewarm another day. We must keep the fire burning by adding the “firewood” of fellowship… Bible study… prayer… praise… and daily surrender to the will of God.

“Quench not the Spirit” is a command. So when the Holy Spirit prompts you to do something, do it.