Is that even possible?
Miriam Webster dictionary defines quench as: put out the light or fire, extinguish, to cause to lose heat or warm.
The book of Matthew in the third chapter talks about John the Baptist baptizing Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us when Jesus went up straightway out of the water the heavens opened, and the Spirit of God descended like a dove lighting upon Jesus. In the same manner in John 16 Jesus tells us that he has to go away (back to heaven), in order to send the Comforter to us, who is in fact the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is someone who guides us every step of our life if you have received Him through baptism. He is the gift of the Father and the Son to the believer, to live within him: giving him spiritual life; and communicating to him the benefits of the gospel. We have the Spirit’s relationship to the believer in terms of Him being our source, seal of eternal life, strength, peace, joy, love and comfort. The Bible says when we are saved and baptized, we become a new creature, old ways have passed, and the Holy Spirit guides us into our new life. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, and guides us, he gives the spiritual gifts, and the desire to obey God; he enables us to pray and to understand God’s word.
Like children, we don’t always listen to the voice of authority or good sense. We like to do things own way, in our own time, regardless of the consequences that it causes. We always think we know what’s best for ourselves which is why we are heedless to good advice.
You ask yourself, “how can I possibly quench the Holy Spirit”? By not listening and doing what the Holy Spirit inspires you to do. Have you ever had the feeling that you should go to church, but you decided to sit on the couch in your pajamas and watch it on TV. That could be an example of not listening to the Holy Spirit who is encouraging you to go in fellowship with like-minded people. Or if they ask for volunteers at church to pass the collection plate or the communion supper and you sit there with your head down, you may be ignoring the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit inspires you to tithe and you say, “not this week, I may run short”. You may be cheating yourself a blessing the Holy Spirit had in store for you because of your generosity. God speaks to us through the Holy Spirit in a still small voice. If we listen, we will be led in the way Christ wants us to live. When we get the “feeling”, we should sing a solo or volunteer to help clean the church etc. By not listening to that feeling or acting on a feeling we are actually quenching the Holy Spirit. This quenching happens every time we don’t obey what Christ is telling us through the Spirit. It can be as simple as raising your hands in worship, because someone might think you are over exuberant or a fanatic. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and lead you regardless of what others think and you will be blessed over and over.
As parents, we set examples for children by the way we live. We must walk the walk not just talk the talk when it comes to our faith. How we do service in the name of Jesus Christ affects not only us but our home also. If we want our children to live as Christians and to listen to the Holy Spirit, we must be good examples and not quench the Holy Spirit within ourselves.
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: Matthew 3:16
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. I Corinthians 12:13
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Galatians 3:27
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. I Corinthians 6:19
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. I Thessalonians 5: 19-22