Read:1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Imagine sitting around a nice campfire and enjoying the heat from the fire. If someone was to come and pour water on the fire, the fire would be quenched, the fire would be put out. Here Paul tells us not to quench the work of the Holy Spirit. We might not pour water on the Spirit, so to speak. We might not stop the working of the Spirit in our lives.

But how do we quench the Spirit? The Spirit is at work in our hearts. He is helping us serve and love the Lord. And we must embrace this work of the Spirit. We must love the Spirit working in us and pray that the Spirit will continue to be active in our hearts. But if we stop praying for the Spirit to work in us and if we stop reading the Bible, and stop listening to sermons, then we will start quenching the work of the Spirit. The Spirit uses the words of the Bible to help us grow in our love for the Lord. So, if we stop reading the Bible or paying attention to it, we stop allowing the Spirit to work in our hearts.

That’s why Paul also reminds us to not despise prophecies. This means we can’t put the Bible aside thinking that it isn’t very important. Don’t think that it doesn’t really matter if you don’t pay attention when the Bible is read or when your parents teach you about the Lord. The Bible and being taught about God are very important. These times should be precious to you. You should enjoy learning about the Lord. You must love the Lord from your heart.

There may be times when it actually feels like you are quenching the Spirit. Sometimes that love for the Lord doesn’t feel as strong as you would like. Then you are called to pray. Pray for the working of the Spirit. When you do this, the Lord will work faith and joy in your heart.

Reflection with your child:

How can you make sure you don’t quench the Spirit?

Source: Sermon by Rev. H. Alkema