GRIEVING AND QUENCHING THE SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit's work in us begins when He produces repentance in us by convicting us of: 1) our sin; 2) of Christ's righteousness; and 3) of the inevitable judgment of Satan and all who are his (Jn. 16:8-11). When we acknowledge that we are in need of a Savior, the Spirit uses God's children to provide us with the Gospel, God's good news (Rom. 10:14-15). When we believe, trust, place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit works in us the miracle of the new birth (Jn. 1:13; 3:3-8; 1 Jn. 5:1).

As born again believers in Jesus Christ, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and as a result, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost (1 Cor. 6:19). Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit was present with them, but that He would one day dwell within them (Jn. 14:17). His promise that believers would be filled, began being fulfilled ten days after His Ascension, on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 1:3; 2:1-4). The Word says ALL born again believers are indwelt by the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:6-7). In fact, not only are we indwelt, we are forever sealed unto God by the Spirit (Eph. 1:13; 4:30).

The Holy Spirit's "job" in us, is to guide us as we seek to do the Lord's will (Jn. 16:13). He equips us for ministry (1 Cor. 12:4-11; Eph. 4:4-12). He teaches us, and when needed, He brings to our remembrance all that He has taught us (Jn. 14:26). Believers are to "walk in the Spirit," that is, to be led step-by-step through life (Eph. 5:16-25). And before we follow, we must be certain that it is God's Spirit that is leading (1 Jn. 4:1-3).

When we are absolutely certain it is the Holy Spirit, we have a choice; we can either obey or we can disobey. When we disobey, we are sinning against God, and the Word says we "grieve the Holy Spirit" (Eph. 4:30). The Greek word, "grieve," is λυπεῖτε (lypeite), which means "to offend, to make sorrowful, to affect with sadness." By our failing to follow His leading, simply put, sinning, we cease to be filled. That is why we need to confess our sin, and allow God to fill us again (1 Jn. 1:9; Eph. 5:18).

There is another word in Scripture that believers are warned against. We are told not to "quench the Spirit" (1 Thes. 5:19). In context, one is capable of quenching the fire in others, because the following verse warns against despising prophecies, obviously referring to those given by other believers (1 Thes. 5:20). The Greek word translated "quench," is σβέννυτε (sbennumi), and it means "to extinguish." The Holy Spirit is described as "fire" (Matt. 3:11; Acts 2:3-4), and among other things, fire provides "light" in a dark world (Ex. 13:21).

As I understand it then, we grieve the Spirit when we sin, and we quench the Spirit when we hinder the manifestation of Spiritual gifts in others. So, in effect, the first is our sin against God, and the last refers to our sin against our brethren. And in so doing, we are breaking the two greatest commandments (Matt. 22:37-39)!