‘Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 (NIV).
By warning us not to ‘put out the Spirit’s fire’, Paul was saying that we should not dismiss or caste aside the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. In this passage Paul refers to the gift of prophecy and in 1 Corinthians 14:39, he mentions speaking in tongues.
We grieve the Holy Spirit within when we ignore the gifts that He allows us to express fully to enrich and build up the church. We must not stifle the Holy Spirit’s work in anyone’s life, but encourage the full expression of these gifts to benefit the whole body of Christ.
Yet Paul gives a warning in this passage in regards to the gifts of the Spirit. He simply says, ‘Test everything.’ Be wise, hold up what we see and hear against the authority of the Word. We are on dangerous ground if we simply accept everything without checking out what people say. Only then can we be discerning enough to accept what is true and reject what is false.
But we can also put out the life of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us in other ways too. Unwholesome language, bitterness, improper use of anger, slander, arguing and bad attitudes towards others also quench the Spirit’s fire.
Be Greatly Blessed!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, help me to make room in my heart for the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit. I want to give your Spirit full reign and rule in my life.
Help me to listen, obey and trust.
Please give me a discerning heart to know that what I see and hear is in line with your Word.
Thank you.
In Jesus’ Mighty Name,
AMEN!
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Final Thoughts:
In order to foster His work within us we must ‘hold on to the good.’
The Spirit however, desires us to be loving, forgiving and accepting of others.
Are we grieving or pleasing the Holy Spirit with our attitudes and actions?
Our commission is to work with a loving Spirit by acting in love just as God acted in love by sending His Son to die for our sins (Ephesians 5:1)
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