Quenching the Spirit, What Does It Mean?

In 1 Thessalonians 5:19, Paul warns his readers with these words:

“Do not quench the Spirit.” (ESV)

The word that is translated “quench” (σβέννυτε) is a word that can mean “to extinguish fire,” “to render ineffective,” or “to suppress something.” The idea that Paul is communicating is that if you are not careful, you can easily suppress or resist the Spirit’s influence in your life.

This verse is frequently misused to justify all kinds of unbiblical practices that Paul didn’t intend to take place. Since it is so frequently misquoted I think it is worth noting some of the ways that the Bible says that we might quench the Spirit in our lives:

• We quench the Spirit when we live unholy lives because the Spirit influences us toward holiness (1 Thess 5:12-18).

• We quench the Spirit when we do not serve the church because the Spirit gifts us to serve the body (Rom 12:6).

• We quench the Spirit when we do not pursue spiritual fruit because the Spirit produces fruit (Gal 5:22-23).

• We quench the Spirit when we suppress the truth because the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change people of God.

All that to say, “Do not quench the Spirit” is Paul’s way of warning his readers not to resist the sanctifying influence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.