“Quench not the Spirit.” 1st Thessalonians 5:19

There are times when the Holy Spirit acts in an irresistible way. When He comes to the child of God in the new birth, He acts like the wind that blows where it wills and cannot be controlled by man. At these times, we can see the effects of the work of the Holy Spirit but we can in no way control or help the work. This work cannot be quenched or stopped.

At other times, the Holy Spirit is working more in a motivational way rather than irresistibly. He works with our conscience to convict us when we see and to give us peace when we are doing well. This influence can be masked by distractions in entertainment or substance abuse but it cannot be quenched.

The Holy Spirit also motivates us to praise God in a more active and energetic way every day. This work can be quenched by our actions or lack thereof.

It is this last work of which Paul speaks here. When our spirit is stirred to rejoice and respond to the blessing of the Holy Spirit, we should not quench this because of fear of what others will think or say about us. It is at these very times when we can fulfill David’s charge in the Psalms.

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised!

Next time you feel the Spirit moving you to say something, or even shout something, just break forth into pure worship and let it out!