1 Thessalonians 5:18-19;-“In every thing give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.Quench not the Spirit.”
On the day of Pentecost,the Holy Spirit descended upon the people not just like tongues,but in form of tongues of fire. The Holy Spirit is,therefore, likened to fire in his work.
Tongues of fire mean that what was spoken by the apostles were words with the Spirit filled,which like fire,consumed all the works of the devil.A short while after they received the Holy Spirit,the apostles stood up to testify and preach to the congregation. Their message was so powerful such that it pierced the hearts of many.About three thousand people were converted on that day.
Acts 2:1-“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,they were all with accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,and it sat upon each of them. 4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,and began to speak with other tongues,as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,devout men,out of every nation under heaven. 6. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,and were confounded,because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7. And they were all amazed and marvelled,saying to one another, Behold,are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?”
Acts 2:1-“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come,they were all with accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire,and it sat upon each of them.
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost,and began to speak with other tongues,as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews,devout men,out of every nation under heaven.
6. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together,and were confounded,because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7. And they were all amazed and marvelled,saying to one another, Behold,are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8. And how hear we every man in our own tongue wherein we were born?”
…….. Acts 2:37-41; “And now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart,and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren,what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them ,Repent ,and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you,and to your children, and to all that are afar off,even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
…….. Acts 2:37-41; “And now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart,and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren,what shall we do?
Then Peter said unto them ,Repent ,and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you,and to your children, and to all that are afar off,even as many as the LORD our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort,saying,save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
On hearing Peter’s testimony, the people were pricked in their heart. This was because of the soul-piercing message that they had heard while the apostles preached them under influence of the Holy Spirit.
It was a life- changing message that led to many of them obeying the gospel. Even today, people praying in the Spirit are guaranteed immediate answers to their prayers,unlike those not filled with the Spirit.
This is because the Holy Spirit helps by interceding for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Note that the word tongue represents a language or speech).
A spirit-filled message works just like fire does.Therefore, when a person filled with the Spirit prays,whether or not in tongue,his utterance is like a fire.
Their words pierce through God’s own heart in a manner so persuading and which cannot be uttered. When we pray in the Spirit,our prayers go before God full of power,moving his heart in an unusual way,thus he responds quickly to grant our requests.
Through an inspiring message shall the one who is filled the Spirit convince and win over a soul for Christ. However, this indwelling Spirit deposited within a person can as well be quenched.This means that the power of the Holy Spirit inside a person dies down.
Their message becomes less influential. At this juncture,one will be forced to apply more of his manly strength and wisdom to convince someone into accepting Christ. However, his efforts will eventually prove unproductive.
1Corinthians 2:4 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,but in the power of God.”
1Corinthians 2:4 “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men,but in the power of God.”
Apart from using his manly strength and wisdom to influence people for Christ, a person lacking the Holy Spirit cannot move God’s heart in any way,for his prayers are less powerful.
What things may lead to the Spirit being quenched inside a person?
a.) Scorning the power of the cross and regarding the Word of Holy Spirit with proud contempt shows opposition to the Spirit. When the Spirit testifies to us against our deeds,and we in stead of despise his warning,its when we quench his work within us.
Hebrews 10:29;-“Of how much sorer punishment ,suppose ye,shall he be thought worthy who hath trodden under foot the Son of God ,and hath counted by the blood of the covenant,wherewith he sanctified,an unholy thing,and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
b.) When through our actions oppose the Holy Spirit by disagreeing with what he says.For instance, when the bible tells us not to be drunk with wine,and we choose to act contrary to the Word,this is against the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18-“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess;but be filled with the Spirit.”
Elsewhere in the Scriptures, women are urged to dress themselves with modesty and with good works as those professing godliness;
1 Timothy 2:9-“In like manner also,that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,with shamefacedness and sobriety;not with braided hair,or gold,or pearls,or costly array; 10.) But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”
1 Timothy 2:9-“In like manner also,that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,with shamefacedness and sobriety;not with braided hair,or gold,or pearls,or costly array;
10.) But which becometh women professing godliness with good works.”
Acting contrarily means opposing the Holy Spirit ,and we are in danger of quenching his work in our lives.
Acts 7:51-“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears,ye do always resist the Holy Ghost :as your fathers did,so do ye.”
To make something of our life here on earth,we need the Holy Spirit to reign within.He is like fire within us,when he is quenched,we can do nothing. And what is more,our prayers go empty before God.
To rekindle the fire of the Spirit within you ,taking a fresh new start,once again repent and begin to obey him;neither despising nor opposing his Word. Have you given your life to Christ? If not then do it today.Out of a sincere heart, repent and be baptised into the name of Jesus,and the Holy Spirit will descend upon you like fire.Obey his Word,and do not scorn the cross ,because it is for your own good.
God bless you.
Other Topics:
NEHUSHTAN (THE BRONZE SERPENT).
HE WAS MADE AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SAKE.
HE IS BEING MADE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ANGELS
BENEFITS OF PRAYER
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