18 March - Do not Quench the Spirit
“Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
My favourite soft drink is 100PLUS. I believe it is one of the leading brands in isotonic drinks and very popularly promoted in sports events. This soft drink recipe was created by Fraser and Neave Limited or better known as F&N in conjunction with its 100 years of presence in Asia in 1983. It has citrus fruits content which is very refreshing. Coming indoors after a time of scorching heat outdoors or resting after some strenuous exercise, you feel a longing for a tall glass of cold 100PLUS to quench the thirst of the physical body. If you will imagine with me, after a time of sports activities when you perspired heavily, you long for a rest to recharge and replenish the salt and bodily fluid lost. 100PLUS is a very inviting companion. Gulp it down – quick or slow and you are refreshed. Then, surprisingly…the body lazes. That is what happens when our thirst is quenched.
However, we do not want to quench the Holy Spirit. Instead, we want an endless longing for more and more of the Spirit in our lives. The contrast is obvious. If we are quenched, we withdraw into a state of comfort, relaxation, and lethargy.
When Paul wrote that to the Thessalonian Church, these verses were part of his concluding address. As he concluded, he wanted to stress some very important points that his audience could remember; points to guide them in their daily living as victorious Christians; points that can lead them to grow deeper in faith. These important reminders he conveyed to them. One, “Do not quench the Spirit.” Two, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all.” Three, “Hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
Paul wanted to exhort the believers to keep thirsting for the Holy Spirit. He wanted to affirm the necessity of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. He wanted to assure them that the presence of the Holy Spirit is needed to discern the works of God. Prophecies are controversial these days during this (COVID-19) pandemic season. How do Christians discern the will of God in prophecies and through prophecies? Paul told the Thessalonian Church to constantly thirst for the Holy Spirit to enable them to discern correctly, holding on to what is good, and allowing the Spirit of God to lead them to “what no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived — the things God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
PONDER
In the midst of challenges the church encounters, have we unconsciously or consciously quenched the Holy Spirit when we expect events to unfold as we imagine they should, or do we let go and let God take charge to do great wonders we can never imagine?
PROMISE
“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7)
PRAYER
Lord, teach us to constantly thirst for more of you in our lives. Teach us to never limit what you can do in and through us. Teach us to surrender totally to you and you alone. Amen.
Article by Deaconess Dr Tan Swee Bee. She works with the indigenous people groups in Malaysia and currently lectures full-time in Seminari Theoloji Malaysia.