How Not To Quench the Holy Spirit
How Not To Quench the Holy Spirit
Paul wrote, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of
God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:30 RSV
Jesus said, “Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can
be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be
forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come.” Matthew 12.32 NLT; “but whoever blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin;” Mark
3:29 ESV; “And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be
forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be
forgiven.” Luke 12:10 ESV
To know how not to blaspheme, we should look at what it
means to blaspheme. The ‘Bible Hub’ website says: “Blasphemy against the Holy
Spirit, often called the unpardonable sin, involves a deliberate, persistent
rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work and testimony. In the Gospels, Jesus
performed miracles by the Spirit, yet the Pharisees attributed His works to demonic
power Matthew 12:24), knowingly denying God’s existence. This sin is not a
momentary doubt or mistake but a hardened, conscious opposition to God’s
Spirit, rejecting the source of forgiveness and salvation.”
Are you paying attention to the words of the Lord? He
said, “Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who
speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or
in the world to come.”
HOW TO BE BORN OF THE SPIRIT
Not submitting to and honoring the Holy Spirit as you would
our Father in Heaven is grieving the Holy Spirit. Our respect for the Holy
Spirit should be equal to our respect for the Father and the Son. If you
believe in scripture and you seek eternal life, you will pay attention to the
words of Jesus. He said not to speak against the Holy Spirit. He also said, “I
assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and
the Spirit.” John 3:5 NLT
We spend so much time in our studies focusing on the water
mentioned in John 3:5, that we do not seriously study the impact of ‘being born
of the Spirit!’ Jack Cottrell, a famous Restoration writer, wrote, “In
my best understanding, Holy Spirit baptism is something every Christian has
experienced: 'By one Spirit we were all baptized,' says Paul. Its essence is
rather the saving work of the Spirit in which He regenerates the sinner and
begins to indwell him; in short, it is the second part of the double cure
described earlier.” Spirit baptism occurs simultaneously with water baptism, or
more accurately, it is the inner aspect of our one baptism. Rubel Shelly,
another famous Restoration writer, appears to agree with Cottrell.
Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Each of you must repent of
your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. According
to the Apostle Peter, on the day of Pentecost, said those words. He said them
in answer to “what must we do?” It was a clear, declarative statement that said
if we perform the physical act of baptism, we WILL receive the Holy Spirit. If
you have followed Jesus’ teaching in John 5:24, “I tell you the truth, those
who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They
will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death
into life.” And if you were baptized, you did receive the fullness of the Holy
Spirit.
Quoting Cottrell again, “In accord with what we have already
seen in connection with John 3:5 and Acts 2:38, this saving work of the Spirit
(viz., baptism in the Spirit) is something that happened to all of us when we
were baptized in water. The separation of Spirit baptism and water baptism into
two distinct events is one of the most serious and far-reaching doctrinal
errors ever introduced into Christendom. … There is only one baptism to which
it can refer, namely, the only baptism any of us has experienced: that single
moment when our bodies were immersed in water and our spirits immersed in the
Holy Spirit.”
Watchman Nee teaches the same thing. He goes into great
detail in his book, “Spiritual Knowledge,” teaching that from our human spirit,
now reborn with the Holy Spirit, purification, and gifts flow from there to the
renewal of our ‘heart (conscience)’ and mind (intellect) bringing God’s
empowerment to know Him. It also brings, as King David had prayed for – “a
clean heart (conscience) and an upright spirit.”
WHAT DOES THE HOLY SPIRIT DO, WHO IS THE HOLY SPIRIT?
The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5;3-4); The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God
(Genesis 1:2); considered equal to
the Father and the Son (1 Peter 1:2); is eternal (Hebrews
9:14); the Spirit gives life and
has set us free from the law of sin and death, (Romans 8:2); involved with
creation (Genesis 1: 1-2); the Spirit enabled most of the writing of the
Bible 2 Peter 1:2); the Spirit intercedes for us, helping us to pray
and communicating our prayers to God (Romans 8:26-27) and much more. The
Bible is full of scripture teaching about the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy spirit).
The Holy
Spirit is referred to as a Person (14:26);
Who speaks (Heb. 3:7–8; Rev. 2:7;);
Witnesses (John 15:26);
searches (1 Cor. 2:11);
can be grieved (Isa. 63:10; Eph. 4:30); who loves (Rom. 15:30); has a mind (Rom. 8:27); has intelligence (1 Cor. 2:10–11), can be tested (Acts 5:9); can be resisted (Acts 7:5); and has a will (1 Cor. 2:11; 12:7–11). The Spirit inspired the writing of the
Bible (2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:20–21) and helps us to understand
the Bible (John 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:9–11; Heb. 3:7; 10:15).
THE HOLY
SPIRIT CONVICTS
Jesus
said, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s
righteousness, and of the coming judgment.” John 16:8 (NLT) The Holy Spirit will convict the world
of its sin, and of God’s righteousness and that God’s judgement will be coming,
relentlessly so. Please look at all of the verses: “(Jesus)” Nevertheless,
I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not
go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to
you. And when he
comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and
judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning
righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer;
concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:8-11
It is painful
to ignore the convictions (pricks) brought to our spirits by the Holy Spirit.
The goads were a device tied to the harness of the oxen pulling a wagon, so
that pulling on them in the right way would cause pain at levels depending on
how the driver (the Holy Spirit) pulled on the reins (to cause the ‘pricks’ to
go in deeper). The Holy Spirit had been chasing Saul of Tarsus and (‘pricking’),
causing pain because of failure to obey. I suspect Saul was having visions,
dreams, and messages from God that he was trying to ignore. I also suspect that
Saul's visions, dreams, and pain steadily increased in frequency and intensity.
On the ‘Road
to Damascus’, Jesus appeared in a full-blown ‘Godly vision’, the vision and the
audio were very strong. In the vision, Jesus says, “Saul, why are you
persecuting Me?” Paul’s answer is
interesting: “Who are you, Lord?” Paul knew this was a heavenly being, yet his
extensive religious training taught him to ask who he was speaking to. The Holy
Spirit was in the middle of His campaign to convict Paul and put the Spirit’s
hooks in Paul even deeper.
“And when
we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in
the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard
for you to kick against the goads.’ (Acts 26:14) NKJV
(Bible Hub) “It is hard for you to kick against the
goads.” This phrase uses an agricultural metaphor familiar to the ancient audience.
Goads were sharp sticks used to direct oxen; kicking them would cause pain. The
metaphor suggests Saul's resistance to God's will is futile and
self-destructive. It implies divine sovereignty and the inevitability of God's
plan, echoing themes of submission and transformation found throughout
Scripture (e.g., Proverbs 21:30, Isaiah 45:9). Saul's conversion illustrates the transformative power
of God's grace and the call to align with His purposes. It also
illustrates how powerful the dark spirit that hardens people’s hearts is, as it
is very difficult to overcome this ‘darkening’ or hardening.
I feel
certain that Jesus appeared to Saul in this manner because Saul was resisting
the frequent visions, dreams, and urgings of the Holy Spirit. Then the Lord
sent a vision to Ananias and gave him instructions on bringing Saul of Tarsus into
the Body of Believers by baptism.
THE HOLY
SPIRIT ILLUMINATES
When it comes to understanding (illumination) a
passage from Scripture, the Holy Spirit will help you to understand what it
means and how it changes your life. The Holy Spirit will work through your
personal reading of the Bible, family and friends, and especially through the
proclamation of the gospel and the Bible (Rom. 1:16; 10:14–16).
So ask for the Holy Spirit to help you understand (illuminate)
the Bible as you read and study its message. Also, if you’re in a position of
teaching the Bible to your family, friends, small group, or church, it’s a good
idea to ask for the Holy Spirit to help your listeners understand the passage
you are sharing. See - “that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints.” Eph 1:17-18 ESV
The Spirit
Empowers Us For Service to Adonai
(From Tithe.ly website) “From the pages of the Old Testament we observe
the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence in the lives of Joshua (Num. 27:18), Saul (1 Sam. 11:6), David (1 Sam. 16:13), and many others, to accomplish what
they were called to do. In the New Testament, we see that he empowered Jesus’
earthly ministry (Luke 4:14), the early disciples (Acts 1:8), and the preaching of the gospel (Acts 4:8, 31; 6:10; 1 Thess. 1:5).
The Holy Spirit can empower our natural abilities and improve them
for a specific task or purpose. This explains how God is capable of
accomplishing his work through your average, ordinary, and even rejected
members of society, which I’m personally thankful for. For example, Peter and
John, two of the most important men in church history, were considered
“unschooled, ordinary men” (Acts 4:13), yet God powerfully worked through
their lives. So take heart and be humble if you’re reading this today. For “God
chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in
the world to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27).
The Spirit Gives Us Spiritual Gifts
The Holy Spirit also works through us by giving us spiritual gifts
(1 Cor. 12:11). He doesn’t give us these gifts for
our personal benefit, either. He gives us gifts for the common good of the
church (1 Cor. 12:7). This means that we receive
spiritual gifts for building up the church. He also gives us gifts so we may
serve others (1 Pet. 4:10). God also gives some spiritual
gifts, such as tongues and prophecy, as a sign for unbelievers (1 Cor. 14:22). At times God will reveal his glory
to unbelievers through a supernatural display of spiritual gifts. There are
multiple spiritual gifts listed in the Bible (Rom. 12:3–8; 1 Cor. 12; 1 Pet. 4:10–11). We don’t get to choose what gifts
we receive. They’re given to us by the Holy Spirit for his glory and our good.”
Paul confirms this when he wrote, “Instead, let the Spirit
renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like
God—truly righteous and holy.” Ephesians 4:23-24 NLT And, Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth
comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will
tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” John 16:13 NLT And,
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the
church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT
We see
plainly from scripture that the Spirit lives in our Spirit, cleansing our
hearts and minds daily so that we can go through each day with a clean heart
and an upright spirit (David – in the Psalms). Paul continues, “4 And
my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and
persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did
this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.” 1Cor 2:4-5
NLT Paul also wrote to Timothy,
“Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the
precious truth that has been entrusted to you.” 2 Timothy 1:14 NLT Paul
added in scripture, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the
Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not
belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor
God with your body.” 1Cor 6.19 NLT
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let
God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you
will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT Peter wrote: “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed
the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and
sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” 1 Pet 1.22 NLT
Here is
the complete truth - if you are denying
any aspect of the truth of the Holy Spirit you are rejecting the Spirit’s
divinity and Holy power! This is quenching (and perhaps blasphemy of) the Holy Spirit.
An example of
denial is found in John Locke and the Deist movement, which denied the miracles
(the power of the Holy Spirit), truth, and the divinity of Jesus Christ. This
resulted in the Unitarian Church, which denied Christ’s trinitarian divinity. Deists
of the 16th century disputed the truth of the miracles of the Holy
Spirit throughout the Old and New Testaments, thereby denying the nature and
truth about the Holy Spirit.
Locke (for all of his brilliance) got it wrong, and so did
the deists. Read: Jude 1:20 NLT [20] But you, dear friends, must build each
other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit; and 1
John 3:24 NLT Those who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him,
and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us
lives in us. “… he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done,
but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and
new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 NLT
“Also, this is
his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love
one another, just as he commanded us. [24] Those who obey God’s commandments
remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us
because the Spirit, he gave us lives in us.” 1 John 3:23-24 NLT
CLOSING
Finally, study these closing scriptures closely, for
understanding and edification:
(4:13)
“And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.”
(5:6) And Jesus Christ was revealed as God’s Son by his baptism in water and by
shedding his blood on the cross—not by water only, but by water and blood. And
the Spirit, who is truth, confirms it with his testimony. (5:8) the Spirit, the
water, and the blood—and all three agree.
[13] I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so
that you may know you have eternal life. [14] And we are confident that he
hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. 1 John 4:13, 5:6, 5:8, 5:13-14
NLT
Not quenching the Holy Spirit seems very important to
me. I believe all of us should be very careful
about the words that come out of our mouths when talking about the Holy
Spirit.
Robert Lee Hurley
106 Cynthia Drive
Pleasanton TX
78064
Phone:
830-200-8744
Email: hurley6469@gmail.com
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