“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

Do not quench the Spirit.

In other words, don’t do anything that would inhibit you from constantly rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks – for this is the most perfect life; one of everlasting joy, hope, and peace.

Do not quench the Spirit.

In other words, don’t let any thought or deed block your view of God’s face. Don’t ignore that pang of guilt zapping a chill through your spine the moment words of gossip leave your lips. Don’t ignore the crashing disappointment immediately following a habitually sexual sin; one where the body loosens the reign its held over the mind and the mind shamelessly asks itself, “…really? Again?”

We sin.
We repent.
God forgives.

We sin because we’re fallen.
We sin because it’s easy.
We sin because it’s easier to sin than not to sin.

God knows this; as He became human – to walk among us, to heal our sick and our blind, and to suffer the necessary immeasurable cost of His Heavenly son’s perfect life for a joyful, praying, thankful relationship with His earthly children. We can now boast in a grace above our heads, a love that never runs dry, and Christ’s Spirit living and breathing in us and through us.

While Forgiveness happened on the Cross, healing takes time. And while the Spirit resources our rejoices and prayers of thanksgiving; time spent opening and healing old wounds is time not spent praising, meditating, and growing….

….and the Spirit is quenched.

See….

We live in the “finding yourself” age. We’re all “finding ourselves”.
We do what we want until we’ve found others who want what we want,
and they accept us,
and we’ve all found ourselves.

God wants you to find yourself in Him. He wants to give you a new identity – one of rejoicing, of praying, of giving thanks. An identity of an everlasting, humbling, all encompassing peace, where the love never runs dry.

Do not quench the Spirit.
You’re just missing out.