20 Jan February 15th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT THESSALONICA

DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT

1 Thessalonians 5:19 “Do not quench the Spirit.”

Other translations of 1 Thessalonians 5:19 say, “Do not stop the activity of the Holy Spirit.; don’t stifle the Holy Spirit; don’t put out the Spirit’s fire; do not extinguish the Holy Spirit.”

A quick review of the work of the Holy Spirit gives you a better understanding of what today’s devotional verse is all about.  Luther, in his explanation to the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed, describes the Holy Spirit’s work with these words:  “. . . the Holy Spirit has called (you) by the Gospel, enlightened (you) with His gifts, sanctified and kept (you) in the true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith.  In this Christian church He daily and richly forgives all (you) sins and the sins of all believers.  On the Last Day He will raise (you) and all the dead, and give eternal life to (you) and all believers.” (Small Catechism, page 17)

How is the Holy Spirit quenched, His gracious activity suspended, His work stopped?  To answer first it is necessary to understand that the Holy Spirit carries out His work through the Means of Grace, that is, God’s Word and the Sacraments.  To quench His work is done when God’s word is despised, rejected, you fail to hear, read, and learn from it, or you decline to receive the Lord’s Supper.

Philippians 4:9 says, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” With these words, St. Paul reminded the Philippians as his words do you, that the word of God you have learned, received, and heard need to be “put into practice.”  Having soil, seed, fertilizer, and water, but not putting the fertilizer in the soil, planting the seed, and then watering it will bear no crop.  Having at one time learned God’s word and heard it, without continuing to do so quenches the Holy Spirit’s work through it to keep you in the true faith to life everlasting.

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, work through the Means of Grace in my heart daily to keep me in the true faith to life everlasting.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Holy Spirit, grant us grace That we our Lord and Savior

In faith and fervent love embrace And truly serve Him ever.

The hour of death cannot bring loss When we are sheltered

By the cross That canceled our transgressions.

Help us that we Thy saving Word In faithful hearts may treasure;

Let e’er that Bread of Life afford New grace in richest measure.

O make us die to every sin, Each day create new life within,

That fruits of faith may flourish.

And when our earthly race is run, Death’s bitter hour impending,

Then may Thy work in us begun Continue till life’s ending.

Until we gladly may commend Our sols into our Savior’s hand,

The crown of life obtaining.

(LSB 693)